withhold
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
(tr) to keep back; refrain from giving
he withheld his permission
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(tr) to hold back; restrain
-
(tr) to deduct (taxes, etc) from a salary or wages
-
to refrain or forbear
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
Explanation
If you keep something back and don't share it, you withhold it. You can withhold things such as permission, emotion, or information. You might get into trouble if you withhold information from your parents or the police. The verb withhold means to deduct from a payment and hold back. Your job will withhold money from your paycheck for things like taxes. You may also choose to withhold money from your check for healthcare, retirement, and numerous other voluntary accounts. The past tense of the verb withhold is withheld. Withhold is spelled with a double h because it is made by combining the words with and hold.
Vocabulary lists containing withhold
The Pearl
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100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z
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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act III
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
For instance, he wants her to withhold funds from departments until there are improvements at the agencies.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
The prospect of a brief cease-fire comes as Russia is planning to scale back an annual May 9 Victory Day parade—and withhold the traditional display of military hardware.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 29, 2026
However, the Guardian reported that senior government officials have been considering whether to withhold documents from Parliament revealing Lord Mandelson was not given vetting approval from security officials.
From BBC • Apr. 16, 2026
The IRS can force employers to withhold more of a person’s paycheck, or step in to file a stingy return on the person’s behalf.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 6, 2026
I’ve never known anyone so willing to withhold judgment and overlook what often strike me as major personality defects.
From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
