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Definition of withholding

withholding

/wɪðˈhoʊldɪŋ/
with · hold · ing
Plural:withholdings
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withholding Lexical Profile

withholding Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A portion of an employee's wages or salary deducted directly by an employer to pay income taxes or other statutory obligations.

Example

"She adjusted her tax withholding at the start of the fiscal year to avoid owing a large sum in April."

2

The act of refusing to give, grant, or disclose something that is due, requested, or expected.

Example

"The deliberate withholding of crucial evidence by the defense team resulted in a mistrial."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Reluctant to give affection, approval, or information; emotionally reserved or ungenerous.

Example

"Growing up with a cold and withholding parent made it difficult for him to express his own feelings later in life."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for withholding

• Rhymes for withholding

• Nearby Words

witheringly
withers
withhold
withholding
within
without
withstand

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Withholding. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/withholding
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