withhold
verb
with·hold
with-ˈhōld 
wit͟h-
withheld
with-ˈheld
wit͟h-
; withholding
1
: to hold back from action : check
2
archaic
: to keep in custody
3
: to refrain from granting, giving, or allowing
withhold permission
4
: to deduct (withholding tax) from income
withholder
noun
Examples of withhold in a Sentence
She was accused of withholding evidence.
She has $20 withheld from her paycheck every week.
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump withheld federal dollars from programs targeted in his Executive Orders, triggering lawsuits.
—
Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
The president has threatened to retaliate against California by withholding federal funds if state policies conflict with his.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
One of the country’s largest reproductive health advocacy groups is suing the Trump administration for withholding millions of dollars in federal family planning grants earlier this year.
—The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
Three separate judges -- including two appointed by Trump -- blocked the government from withholding federal funds to schools with DEI programs.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withhold
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Eric Cortellessa, Time, 25 Apr. 2025
The president has threatened to retaliate against California by withholding federal funds if state policies conflict with his.
—George Skelton, Mercury News, 25 Apr. 2025
One of the country’s largest reproductive health advocacy groups is suing the Trump administration for withholding millions of dollars in federal family planning grants earlier this year.
—The Hill, 24 Apr. 2025
Three separate judges -- including two appointed by Trump -- blocked the government from withholding federal funds to schools with DEI programs.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withhold
Cite this Entry
“Withhold.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withhold. Accessed 28 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
withhold
verb
with·hold
with-ˈhōld
wit͟h-
withheld
-ˈheld
; withholding
; withholding
1
: to hold back : restrain
withhold an angry response
2
: to refuse to grant, give, or allow
withhold permission
3
: to deduct (withholding tax) from income
withholder
noun
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