withhold

verb

with·​hold with-ˈhōld 

wit͟h-

withheld with-ˈheld 

wit͟h-

; withholding

transitive verb

1

: to hold back from action : check

2

archaic : to keep in custody

3

: to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing

withhold permission

4

: to deduct (withholding tax) from income

intransitive verb

: forbear, refrain

withhold from commenting

withholder noun

Synonyms of withhold

• refuse
• deny
• reject
• decline

Choose the Right Synonym for withhold

keep, retain, detain, withhold, reserve mean to hold in one's possession or under one's control.

keep may suggest a holding securely in one's possession, custody, or control.

keep this while I'm gone

retain implies continued keeping, especially against threatened seizure or forced loss.

managed to retain their dignity even in poverty

detain suggests a delay in letting go.

detained them for questioning

withhold implies restraint in letting go or a refusal to let go.

withheld information from the authorities

reserve suggests a keeping in store for future use.

reserve some of your energy for the last mile

Examples of withhold in a Sentence

She was accused of withholding evidence.

She has $20 withheld from her paycheck every week.

Recent Examples on the Web

The outcome was not a surprise to some strategists, who told ABC News ahead of the party's annual convention that a politically expedient move for Republicans would be to withhold an endorsement, allowing their candidates the best chance to advance as far as possible. —Juhi Doshi, ABC News, 13 Apr. 2026

Police have withheld the woman’s name, citing Marsy’s Law, which is designed to protect the rights and privacy of victims in Florida. —Lauren Mascarenhas, CNN Money, 13 Apr. 2026

The complaint was initially withheld from lawmakers amid that disagreement before Atkinson moved to alert the committee himself. —Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 13 Apr. 2026

But, in July 2024, three days into his trial, all charges against him were dismissed with prejudice after the judge found that authorities had deliberately withheld evidence from his defense team. —Scott Feinberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from with from + holden to hold — more at with

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Rhymes for withhold

• ahold
• behold
• billfold
• blindfold
• cajoled
• consoled
• controlled
• cotswold
• eightfold
• enfold
• enrolled
• extolled

Kids Definition

withhold

verb

with·​hold with-ˈhōld 

wit͟h-

withheld -ˈheld  ; withholding

1

: to hold back : restrain

withhold an angry response

2

: to refuse to grant, give, or allow

withhold permission

3

: to deduct (withholding tax) from income

withholder noun