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View synonyms for

withhold

[with-hohld, with-]

verb (used with object)

withheld, withholding 
  1. to hold back; restrain or check.

    Synonyms: ,
    Antonyms:
  2. to refrain from giving or granting.

    to withhold payment.

    Synonyms: ,
    Antonyms:
  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

/ ɪðˈəʊ /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • withholder noun
  • unwithheld adjective
  • ɾٳˈDZ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of withhold1

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

See keep.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The job of the actor is to reveal, that of the spy to withhold.

From

The state does withhold taxes from its employees’ paychecks, but the law mandates that it forward those withheld funds to the IRS just like private employers.

From

"ICE agents have a job to do, just like you and I," said Juan, who asked the BBC to withhold his last name given the federal operations in the area.

From

Keeping X's status officially secret meant that key evidence was withheld from Beth.

From

Surely, some viewers see the wisdom in withholding that information and others resent Fraser’s deception.

From

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half a heart, withwithholding tax