withhold

[with-hohld, with-]

verb (used with object)

withheld, withholding 

1. to hold back; restrain or check.

   Synonyms: repress, suppress
   Antonyms: advance

2. to refrain from giving or granting.

   to withhold payment.

   Synonyms: repress, suppress
   Antonyms: advance

3. to collect (taxes) at the source of income.

4. to deduct (withholding tax) from an employee's salary or wages.

verb (used without object)

withheld, withholding 

1. to hold back; refrain.

2. to deduct withholding tax.

withhold

/ wɪðˈhəʊld /

verb

1. (tr) to keep back; refrain from giving

   he withheld his permission

2. (tr) to hold back; restrain

3. (tr) to deduct (taxes, etc) from a salary or wages

4. to refrain or forbear

Other Word Forms

• withholder noun
• unwithheld adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of withhold¹

First recorded in 1150–1200, withhold is from the Middle English word withholden. See with-, hold ¹

Synonym Study

See keep.

Example Sentences

She blocked the administration from stopping any more federal funding to the Cambridge, Massachusetts-based college and barred the government from withholding payment on existing grants.

From BBC

But Republicans and Democrats alike said the files contained little new information and it is unclear if the justice department is withholding other Epstein records.

From BBC

Courts in Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Denver, and Los Angeles have issued preliminary injunctions blocking attempts to withhold federal funding.

From Salon

His identity has been withheld and, so far, he has appeared in public dressed fully in black, including a hood and a face mask.

From BBC

The Supreme Court ultimately declined to hear the company’s appeal, while a lower court eventually ordered Cal Fire to pay out $15 million for fraud and withholding evidence.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• conceal 
• deduct 
• deny 
• detain 
• hide 
• keep 
• refuse 
• resist 
• retain 
• suppress