withhold
verb
with·hold
with-ˈhōld 
wit͟h-
withheld
with-ˈheld
wit͟h-
; withholding
1
: to hold back from action : check
2
archaic
: to keep in custody
3
: to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing
withhold permission
4
: to deduct (withholding tax) from income
withholder
noun
Examples of withhold in a Sentence
She was accused of withholding evidence.
She has $20 withheld from her paycheck every week.
Recent Examples on the Web
The administration has withheld routine forms of assistance from Taiwan—including by downgrading a defense dialogue with the island, denying Taiwanese President William Lai the ability to briefly visit the United States while traveling elsewhere, and blocking a major arms sales package.
—
Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Hamas has said the process of recovering them has been delayed by the extent of destruction in the territory, while the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accuses the group of deliberately withholding information.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The terms and conditions also indicated Brown Paper Tickets could withhold payments for up to 90 days after an event for any reason.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
The president threatened, at the time, to withhold trade agreements unless the fighting stopped.
—Chris Megerian, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withhold
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Mira Rapp-Hooper, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Hamas has said the process of recovering them has been delayed by the extent of destruction in the territory, while the Hostages and Missing Families Forum accuses the group of deliberately withholding information.
—Callum Sutherland, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
The terms and conditions also indicated Brown Paper Tickets could withhold payments for up to 90 days after an event for any reason.
—Shane Connuck, Charlotte Observer, 28 Oct. 2025
The president threatened, at the time, to withhold trade agreements unless the fighting stopped.
—Chris Megerian, Fortune, 26 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withhold
Cite this Entry
“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withhold. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
withhold
verb
with·hold
with-ˈhōld
wit͟h-
withheld
-ˈheld
; withholding
; withholding
1
: to hold back : restrain
withhold an angry response
2
: to refuse to grant, give, or allow
withhold permission
3
: to deduct (withholding tax) from income
withholder
noun
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