Withhold
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /wɪθˈhəʊld/ · Part of speech verb
Quick meaning: Withhold is a verb meaning (transitive) To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.
Meaning
(transitive) To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.
More Meanings
- (transitive) To keep (information, assent etc) to oneself rather than revealing it.
- (intransitive) To stay back, to refrain.
- (Scientology) An immoral action or condition (an overt) that has not been disclosed to others; the consciousness of such an action or condition.
Example Sentences
a withheld phone number
withhold vital information
The bank withheld her credit card.
I’ll withhold from asking about it.
Word Forms
- withholds
- withholding
- withheld
- withholden
- with-hold
Synonyms for withhold
Depending on context, synonyms include retain, deduct, recoup.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include deduct, recoup, abstain, forbear, refrain, postpone.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.