withhold

American  

[with-hohld, with-] / wɪθˈhoʊld, wɪð- /

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.

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verb (used without object)

withheld, withholding

1. to hold back; refrain.

2. to deduct withholding tax.

withhold British  

/ 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

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Related Words

See keep.

Other Word Forms

• unwithheld adjective
• withholder noun

Etymology

Origin of withhold

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

Example Sentences

Two of the teenagers behind the lawsuit are under the age of 18, but all three are withholding their names from the public in order to protect their privacy.

From BBC

Many individuals may consider reviewing their paycheck withholding in light of the 2026 tax updates.

From MarketWatch

Identities of the deceased service members will be withheld for 24 hours after next of kin is informed.

From Salon

The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced it would withhold $260 million in such funds from Minnesota, citing the alleged fraud.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company said it is withholding its full-year guidance is it evaluates strategic opportunities.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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