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

• decline
• deny
• disallow
• disapprove
• negative
• nix
• refuse
• reject
• reprobate

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

Both women spoke on the condition that their last names be withheld because they were not authorized to speak by their employer. —Amber Ferguson, Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2024

Lawyers for the plaintiffs and news organizations had argued there was no legal reason to withhold the materials from public release. —Jeff McDonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Apr. 2024

Whether Biden moves to withhold arms, and with what force, may well hinge on what Israel does in the days ahead. —Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2024

But the law does not allow a police agency to withhold records simply by saying there is an investigation. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

President Joe Biden is showing no signs of trying to restrict or withhold the billions the U.S. spends each year in military aid to Israel, despite growing concerns that some of those weapons are being used in bombings that kill civilians. —Anne Flaherty, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2024

This was the case for Midge, who had been adopted by a woman who mistreated her, locking her up or withholding food. —Alex Kotlowitz, The Atlantic, 3 Apr. 2024

If the family income falls from a higher tax bracket to a lower one, for instance, the parent who continues working will likely not need to have as much withheld in payroll taxes and thus may bring home a bigger paycheck. —Mia Taylor, Parents, 29 Mar. 2024

His identity is being withheld pending notification of next of kin. —Harry Harris, The Mercury News, 28 Mar. 2024

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

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