Withhold — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /with-ˈhōld/ with·hold

Meaning & Definition of Withhold

Withhold (verb)

  1. to hold back from action, check
  2. to keep in custody
  3. to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing

Withhold (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to be unwilling to grant

    "must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted"

    similar: decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, nix, refuse, reject, reprobate
    related: ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto, rebuff, repel, spurn, check, constrain, curb, hold, keep, repress, restrain, restrict, balk (at), hinder, impede, obstruct
    opposite: allow, concede, grant, let, OK, permit
    near: afford, furnish, give, provide, supply, authorize, commission, license, accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), warrant, accord, sanction, vouchsafe

  2. to continue to have in one's possession or power

    "withhold some money for your own expenses"

    similar: hold, keep, reserve, retain, hang on to, hold on to
    related: conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save, boast, enjoy, have, own, possess, command, control, detain, direct, manage, rule, bear, harbor, cherish, cling (to), hug, treasure
    opposite: give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield
    near: abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, give, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose

Related Entry: Withhold (from) (verb)

Withhold (from) is a different word from Withhold. The synonyms below are for withhold (from), not for withhold.

  1. to resist the temptation of

    "please see if you can withhold from criticizing every little thing she says"

    similar: abjure, abstain (from), forbear, forgo, keep (from), refrain (from)
    related: avoid, eschew, shun, check, constrain, curb, inhibit, deny, refuse, reject, repudiate, buck, combat, fight
    opposite: bow (to), give in (to), submit (to), succumb (to), surrender (to), yield (to)
    near: acquiesce (to), capitulate, concede (to), knuckle under (to)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Withhold

The most common words with a similar meaning to Withhold:

decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, nix, refuse, reject, reprobate, hold, keep, reserve, retain, hang on to, hold on to

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Withhold

Words with the opposite meaning of Withhold:

allow, concede, grant, let, OK, permit, give up, hand over, release, relinquish, surrender, yield

Related Words for Withhold

ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto, rebuff, repel, spurn, check, constrain, curb, repress, restrain, restrict, balk (at), hinder, impede, obstruct, conserve, guard, preserve, protect, save, boast, enjoy, have, own, possess, command

Near Antonyms of Withhold

afford, furnish, give, provide, supply, authorize, commission, license, accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), warrant, accord, sanction, vouchsafe, abandon, cede, drop, contribute, donate, hand out, discard, dump, decline, reject, repudiate, spurn, lose

Word Forms of Withhold

Inflections: withheld, withholding

Derived words: withholder (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Withhold

Middle English, from with from + holden to hold with

First known use: 13th centuryt

Frequently Asked Questions about Withhold

What does "Withhold" mean?

"Withhold" means to hold back from action, check. As a verb, it is defined as: to hold back from action, check. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Withhold"?

Other words for "Withhold" include decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, nix, refuse and reject. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Withhold" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Withhold"?

There are 56 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Withhold". Common alternatives include decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, nix, refuse, reject, reprobate and hold.

What is the opposite of "Withhold"?

Antonyms of "Withhold" include allow, concede, grant, let, OK, permit, give up and hand over. Near antonyms include afford, furnish, give and provide.

How do you use "Withhold" in a sentence?

Examples of "Withhold" in a sentence: "must withhold official approval until all the proper forms have been submitted"; "withhold some money for your own expenses".

Is "Withhold" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Withhold" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Withhold"?

"Withhold" is pronounced /with-ˈhōld/ and divided into syllables as with·hold.

What is the origin of the word "Withhold"?

"Withhold" comes from Middle English, from with from + holden to hold with. First known use: 13th centuryt.