Withhold Meaning
/wɪθˈhəʊld/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.
verbTo keep (information, assent etc) to oneself rather than revealing it.
Sentence Examples
Do not withhold Your tender mercies from me, O Lord.
He has a tendency to withhold emotions.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company decided to ____ the payments until the work is completed.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company decided to ____ the payments until the contractor had finished the work according to the server agreement today.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English withholden. Equivalent to with- + hold.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Do you wish to proceed with those down the line in that order? […] We’ll withhold for now."
— 1971 October 26, William J. Randall, Hearings Before the Special Committee on the Utilization of Manpower in the Military […] House of Representatives, Ninety-Second Congress, First and Second Sessions, published 1972, page 12759:
"On the assumption that a vast majority of readers also enjoy writing, I could not withhold from asking the expert for some advice."
— 2015 February 25, “My day at Malorie Blackman's book launch”, in The Guardian:
"Maria Goldberg, marketing director for Great Southern Restaurants, said The Fish House in Pensacola, so far, has been able to withhold from raising menu prices."
— 2022 January 10, Brittany Misencik, “Pensacola seafood markets face no-win choice amid pandemic: Raise prices or cut stock”, in Pensacola News Journal:
"I was afraid to go into review for the help I needed because of the withholds I had against the organization, withholds acquired at the franchise: our late evening discussions, our kidding around at the expense of other Scientologists."
— 1972, Robert Kaufman, Inside Scientology: How I Joined Scientology and Became Superhuman, →ISBN, page 150:
"Dianetics is concerned with purifying the individual of negative emotions, evil spirits, overts, and withholds."
— 1976, Nathaniel Lande, Mindstyles, Lifestyles, →ISBN, page 133:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The company decided to ____ the payments until the work is completed.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The company decided to ____ the payments until the contractor had finished the work according to the server agreement today.