De-fray is a verb that refers to the payment of costs or expenses incurred in a particular situation. Some antonyms for de-fray include withhold, retain, and neglect. When you withhold payment, you are keeping back what is owed or due. To retain means to keep possession of something, so it does not cost you anything. Neglect involves ignoring something, indicating a lack of interest or care. Other antonyms to de-fray can relate to words like save, prevent, and avoid. Saving means setting aside money to cover future expenses. Prevent involves stopping something from happening before it incurs unnecessary expenses. Avoid means to steer clear of situations that will require you to spend money.