withhold

verb

with·​hold with-ˈhōld How to pronounce withhold (audio)
wit͟h-
withheld with-ˈheld How to pronounce withhold (audio)
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
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 Topline Republicans’ final-hour push to change the way Nebraska allocates electoral votes appears to have died, preventing a rules change that would increase former President Donald Trump’s chances of winning the 2024 race, as a key lawmaker withholds his support. Sara Dorn, Forbes, 23 Sep. 2024 Recommended Prosperity What a Tunisian exodus says about the future of global migration Fighting alongside Ms. Reed is Emmerson and his wife, Michelle, who also asked that her name be withheld for safety. Dánica Coto, The Christian Science Monitor, 23 Sep. 2024 Prosecutors struck a plea deal with Chavez after his lawyer accused them of withholding evidence during his 2022 trial — hundreds of thousands of pages of records from the prison files of the men with whom he was accused of conspiring. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 19 Sep. 2024 The failure of the Biden-Harris administration to influence events has greatly angered the Armenian diaspora in the United States, with many going so far as to threaten to withhold their votes in protest. Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for withhold 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'withhold.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of withhold was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near withhold

Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withhold. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

withhold

verb
with·​hold with-ˈhōld How to pronounce withhold (audio)
wit͟h-
withheld -ˈheld How to pronounce withhold (audio) ; 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

More from Merriam-Webster on withhold

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