Withhold

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /wɪθˈhəʊld/, /wɪðˈhəʊld/
• US IPA: /wɪθˈhoÊŠld/, /wɪðˈhoÊŠld/
• Rhymes: -əʊld

Origin

From Middle English withholden, equivalent to - + hold.

Full definition of withhold

Verb

1. (transitive) To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.
2. (transitive) To keep (information, etc) to oneself rather than revealing it.
3. (transitive) To retain; to keep back; not to grant; as, to withhold assent to a proposition.

Synonyms

• (keep (a physical object) to oneself) retain

Derived terms

• overwithhold
• underwithhold