withhold

1 of 2

verb

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

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

withholder

2 of 2

noun

with·​hold·​er
-də(r)
: one that withholds

Synonyms of withhold

Relevance

Verb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus
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

Verb She was accused of withholding evidence. She has $20 withheld from her paycheck every week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
The American Civil Liberties Union sued in February, alleging officers hurled racial epithets, acted violently, and largely withheld food, water, bathrooms and medical care. — Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026 The deceased person’s identity is being withheld pending their next of kin being notified. — Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 Busfield’s attorneys had accused prosecutors in Bernalillo County, New Mexico, of pursuing the case despite a lack of evidence and withholding witness testimony from grand jurors, according to the AP. — Darrell Smith, Sacbee.com, 16 Oct. 2026 But Li deliberately withholds – for more than 300 pages – how John and Adelaide met. — Heller McAlpin, Christian Science Monitor, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for withhold

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English, from with from + holden to hold — more at with

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

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

Rhymes for withhold

See All Rhymes for withhold

Browse Nearby Words

with guns blazing
withhold
withholder
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withhold. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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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
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