withhold

/ˈwɪθhoʊld/

/ˈwɪθhəʊld/

Other forms: withheld; withholding; withholds

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.

Definitions of withhold

1. verb

   hold back; refuse to hand over or share
   “The father is withholding the allowance until the son cleans his room”

   synonyms: keep back

   types:

   block, freeze, immobilise, immobilize

   prohibit the conversion or use of (assets)

   keep to oneself

   withhold information

   deny

   refuse to grant, as of a petition or request

   reserve

   hold back or set aside, especially for future use or contingency

   immobilise, immobilize

   hold as reserve or withdraw from circulation; of capital

   deprive

   keep from having, keeping, or obtaining

   ablactate, wean

   gradually deprive (infants and young mammals) of mother's milk

   famish, starve

   deprive of food

   starve

   deprive of a necessity and cause suffering

   devote

   set aside or apart for a specific purpose or use

   tongue-tie

   deprive of speech

   dock

   deprive someone of benefits, as a penalty

   bilk

   evade payment to

   disinherit, disown

   prevent deliberately (as by making a will) from inheriting

   impoverish

   make poor

   disenfranchise, disfranchise

   deprive of voting rights

   type of:

   deny, refuse

   refuse to let have
2. verb

   retain and refrain from disbursing; of payments
   “My employer is withholding taxes”

   synonyms: deduct, recoup

   types:

   dock

   deduct from someone's wages

   type of:

   hold on, keep

   retain possession of