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

The current Disney director with the fewest withhold votes was former Morgan Stanley CEO James Gorman, who only saw 30 million votes to withhold. —Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Apr. 2024

What’s more, Comcast is withholding $72 million in payments ($6 million per school) as a result of the Pac-12 Networks overpayment scandal discovered in the fall of 2022. —Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2024

Her identity was withheld pending notification of her relatives. —Nathaniel Percy, Orange County Register, 15 Apr. 2024

By automatically deducting taxes from employees’ earnings each pay period, withholding seemingly alleviates the burden of saving for a lump-sum payment when ... —Adam N. Michel, National Review, 15 Apr. 2024

Some people, for example, could be making more money working side hustle jobs and might not be withholding enough in taxes and end up owing money. —Detroit Free Press, 12 Apr. 2024

California Devastating bodycam video shows the moment deputies opened fire on 15-year-old with autism March 14, 2024 Police agencies should allow members of the public to make up their minds rather than withhold vital information, Loy said. —Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

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

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