I. wə̇thˈhōld, withˈh- verb
( with·held -ˈheld ; with·held “ ; or archaic with·hold·en -ˈhōldən ; withholding ; withholds )
Etymology: Middle English withholden, from with (I) + holden to hold — more at hold
transitive verb
1. : to hold back : keep from action : check , restrain
frequent bursts of grief … obliged her, at intervals, to withhold her pen — Jane Austen
2. : to desist or refrain from granting, giving, or allowing : keep in one's possession or control : keep back
distribute among the youngsters all blankets and provisions and gear, withholding for myself only a canteen — Hodding Carter
withhold permission
3. obsolete : to keep prisoner : detain
she perforce withholds the loved boy — Shakespeare
intransitive verb
: forbear , refrain
a police traffic commission withheld from banning them — John Robbins
Synonyms: see keep
II. transitive verb
: to deduct (withholding tax) from income