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

Some State Department officials argued in vain that Israel was intentionally withholding food and medicine from desperate Palestinians. —Edward Wong, New York Times, 18 Jan. 2025

Soon-to-be First Lady Melania Trump has suggested the Obama administration withheld information during the transfer of power to her husband, President-elect Donald Trump, in 2016. —Jackson Walker, Baltimore Sun, 16 Jan. 2025

Trump officials have vowed to crack down on Democrats who refuse to cooperate with ICE and have threatened to withhold federal funding from states that do not comply. —Michael Gfoeller and David H. Rundell, Newsweek, 16 Jan. 2025

MacLachlan’s work as Dougie is an astonishingly precise, funny comedic performance, but many viewers grew impatient waiting for the real Cooper to appear — which The Return withheld until the last two episodes of an 18-episode season. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 16 Jan. 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

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