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

• 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

In the Senate, Democrats are withholding support for a measure to keep the government funded at current levels unless Republicans extend subsidies that help some Americans pay for health care through the Affordable Care Act, which are set to expire at year's end, among other demands. —Benjamin Siegel, ABC News, 30 Sep. 2025

Things had finally intensified to where McTavish was on the phone with Morris five or six times a day after a lengthy and meaningful divide over term and worth resulting in the center withholding his services for the first 10 days of training camp as a restricted free agent without a contract. —Eric Stephens, New York Times, 30 Sep. 2025

The United States should also withhold support for any operations outside NATO’s current boundaries suggested by other members of the alliance, including naval transits of the Taiwan Strait and no-fly zones over Ukraine. —Jennifer Kavanagh, Foreign Affairs, 30 Sep. 2025

During the trials, according to a Board of Bar Overseers report, the prosecutors were engaging in misconduct that included withholding exculpatory evidence and demonstrating racial bias against the defendant in emails. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 29 Sep. 2025

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