Word
withheld
Phoneticswith·held, stress on the second syllable
US/wɪθˈhɛɫd/
UK/wɪðhˈɛld/
Definitions
01refused to give
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to have kept something back instead of giving it to someone.
v. the past tense of 'withhold', meaning to have refused to give or grant something that was due or requested.
“The company withheld the employee's final paycheck until he returned the laptop.”
“The authorities withheld the suspect's name from the press until the formal charges were filed in the high court.”
02kept secret
C1 · Advanced Law Formal
v. to have kept information or the truth hidden.
v. to have refrained from disclosing information or evidence.
“The witness withheld important details about the accident during the first interview.”
“The prosecution argued that the defense had deliberately withheld evidence that was crucial to the jury's understanding of the motive.”
Synonyms
03kept back
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describes something that is being kept away or not shared.
adj. describing something that has been kept back from the possession or knowledge of another.
“The withheld information finally came out years after the trial ended.”
“The report highlighted several instances of withheld payments that had caused significant financial distress to the subcontractors.”
Antonyms
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object. It is the past tense and past participle of 'withhold'.
Pitfall
The information was withholded.
The information was withheld.
Withhold is an irregular verb; the past form is 'withheld', not 'withholded'.
Real-World Examples
“A total of 132 students have had their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results permanently withheld this year because of cheating in this year’s State exams.” “The name of the sex worker was withheld during the court case.” “It quickly became clear that Baptiste's whereabouts were known but his status was being withheld.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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