withhold

[ with-hohld, with- ]

verb (used with object)

, with·held, with·hold·ing.

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)

, with·held, with·hold·ing.

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. intrusually foll byfrom to refrain or forbear

Derived Forms

• withˈholder, noun

Other Words From

• with·holder noun
• unwith·held 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

The last Trump administration sought to withhold money from Los Angeles over its long-standing policy of not allowing police officers to take part in immigration enforcement.

From Los Angeles Times

NFU president Tom Bradshaw said that while farmers felt "betrayed" the union did not condone direct action such as withholding food from supermarkets.

From BBC

“I like Trump, but he’s unstable. Who knows what he might do?” says the 74-year-old pensioner, whose name has been withheld.

From BBC

Near the end of his first term, the Trump administration threatened to withhold some Medicaid funding from California because the state required insurers to cover abortion care.

From Los Angeles Times

Both Labour and Conservatives governments have maintained no records have been withheld from the veterans, including from the court cases.

From BBC

Related Words

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