EN

Synonyms for withhold

  • verb

Most common

deduct recoup retain hold

Synonyms by meaning

Verb

1. Deduct

deduct, recoup

2. Retain

retain, hold, suppress, refuse, deny, keep back, suspend, check, keep, keep in, hold back, refrain, restrain, inhibit, stifle, limit, rein in, forbear, arrest, spare, curb US, stint

Antonyms

provide, disclose, announce

All antonyms of withhold →

Definitions

  1. v. 1

    To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.

    The bank withheld her credit card.

  2. v. 2

    To keep (information, assent, etc.) to oneself rather than revealing it.

    withhold vital information

Example sentences

  • retain If you use a computer, you can retain information.
  • suppress It was very hard for her to suppress her emotions.

Popularity over time

Word1850 → 2019Trend
withholdfalling
retainsteady
suppresssteady

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters
keep1, hold1, deny2, curb1
5 letters
check1, limit2, spare1, stint1
6 letters
arrest2, refuse2, retain2, deduct2, recoup2, stifle2
7 letters
suspend2, refrain2, inhibit3, forbear
8 letters
suppress2, restrain2

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (deny2 = 2 syllables).

In other languages

Français
taire
Italiano
tacere
Español
callar
Deutsch
verschweigen
Català
callar