1. The act of refusing to provide or continuing to provide aid, support, or services to someone or some entity as a form of pressure, punishment, or leverage
The government threatened assistance withholding if the country did not comply with international agreements.
O governo ameaçou a retenção de assistência se o país não cumprisse os acordos internacionais.
2. In legal or administrative contexts, the deliberate non-provision of financial aid or benefits to which a person or organization may be entitled
Assistance withholding was used as a punitive measure against non-compliant welfare recipients.
A retenção de assistência foi usada como medida punitiva contra beneficiários de assistência social não conformes.