Withhold
/wɪθˈhoʊld/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo refuse to give or grant something; to keep back; to refrain from giving or allowing.
/wɪθˈhoʊld/
To refuse to give or grant something.
The company withheld their employees' bonuses due to financial difficulties.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're getting a treat, but your friend keeps it from you. That's withholding! It's like not letting someone have something they're supposed to.
👶 For kids: To keep something you have from someone else.
More Examples
She decided to withhold her opinion until she had more information.
The witness withheld crucial information during the trial.
How It's Used
"The government withholds a portion of each paycheck for taxes."
"The judge withheld a final verdict until all evidence was presented."
To refrain from expressing or revealing; to keep back; to conceal.
/wɪθˈhoʊld/
To refrain from expressing or revealing.
She withheld her concerns about the project to avoid upsetting her colleagues.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a secret and don't tell anyone. That's like withholding information or your feelings.
👶 For kids: To not tell or show something.
More Examples
The politician decided to withhold comment on the breaking news.
He withheld his tears, trying to maintain composure.
How It's Used
"He withheld his feelings about the situation to avoid conflict."
"She often withholds her true emotions, appearing stoic."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
withhold judgment
To delay or refrain from forming an opinion or making a decision until all the facts are known.
"It's important to withhold judgment until you have all the evidence."
From Middle English withhalden, from Old English wiþheldan (“to hold back, restrain”), equivalent to with- + hold. Cognate with Dutch weerhouden (“to withhold”), German widerhalten (“to withhold”).
The word 'withhold' has been used since the Middle Ages to describe the action of holding back or keeping something.
Memory tip
Think of holding something back, like holding your breath—withholding.
Word Origin
"to hold back"