withhold

[with-hohld, with-] / wɪθˈhoʊld, wɪð- /

VERB

keep back

Synonyms

STRONGEST

conceal deduct deny detain hide keep refuse resist retain suppress

STRONG

abstain bridle check constrain curb disallow hold inhibit kill refrain repress reserve restrain spike

WEAK

clam up dummy up hold back hold down hold out hold out on keep secret keep to oneself keep under one's hat keep under wraps sit on stop oneself

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow disclose divulge expose free go along grant lay bare let go let out open release reveal show tell uncover

STRONG

aid assist help indulge liberate permit use

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“As it is an ongoing legal situation, we will withhold further comment.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 27, 2026

Her department has the power to withhold federal money from schools that violate civil rights.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 25, 2026

Many threatened to withhold military supplies, or actually did withhold them.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 22, 2026

He suggested if the government wanted to withhold or redact some of the information not relevant to national security or diplomatic relations, MPs should give their consent.

From BBC • May 19, 2026

She gave what she couldn’t with safety withhold, and secured those things which lay in her reach.

From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou

Vocabulary lists containing withhold

The Pearl

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100 SAT words Beginning with W,X,Y, and Z

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"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act III

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