ENGLISH
REFERENCE

withheld

v.
C1 Advanced US //wɪθˈhɛɫd// UK //wɪðhˈɛld// with·held

v. to refuse to give something to someone or to keep information secret. You use this when someone has the power to share something but chooses not to.

v. to refrain from giving or granting something; to keep back or restrain. Often refers to the intentional suppression of information, funds, or consent.


SIMPLE

The bank withheld the funds until the check cleared.

CONTEXTUAL

During the investigation, the witness withheld several key details that could have identified the suspect.

COMPLEX

The government withheld the classified documents for decades, citing national security concerns that outweighed the public's right to know the historical truth.

Synonyms
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'.

© 2026 English Reference