What is withhold? Pronunciation and usage in English

withhold means . Learn how to pronounce and use withhold through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of withhold

withholdverb

/wɪðˈhəʊld//wɪðˈhəʊld/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "withhold." It can be tricky for some English speakers! Here’s a breakdown:

1. Syllables: “With-hold” – it’s two syllables.

2. Phonetics (IPA - International Phonetic Alphabet):

  • with: /wɪθ/ (This is where a lot of people stumble)
  • hold: /həʊld/ (British English) or /hɔːld/ (American English)

3. Breakdown & Explanation:

  • “With” (/wɪθ/):

    • “w”: Say it like the “w” in “water.”
    • “i”: A short, crisp “i” sound, like in “bit.”
    • “th”: This is the tricky part. It’s a voiceless dental fricative. It’s similar to the “th” sound in “thin” or “this.” Your tongue should be lightly touching the back of your top teeth. Don’t pronounce it as a “t.”

  • “Hold” (/həʊld/ or /hɔːld/):

    • “h”: As in “hat.”
    • “o”: A short "o" sound, like in "hot."
    • “ld”: The “ld” is pronounced as one unit. It’s similar to the “ld” in “hold”.

4. Putting it Together - The Full Word:

Try to say it smoothly, connecting the two syllables: “Wɪθ-hold” (British) or “Wɪth-hold” (American).

Resources for Hearing It:

Tips for Mastering It:

  • Slow Down: Practice saying each syllable slowly at first.
  • Focus on the "th": This is the key difference between “withhold” and “width.” Really practice that sound.
  • Listen and Repeat: Listen to native speakers and mimic their pronunciation.

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation slowly?
  • Give you more examples of words with a similar "th" sound?

Usage and examples with the word withhold in English

Let's break down how to use the word "withhold" in English. It has several related meanings, so it's important to understand the context.

1. To Refrain From Giving or Telling (Most Common)

  • Meaning: This is the most frequent usage. "Withhold" means to deliberately not give something – information, payment, a gift, a reaction, etc. It implies a conscious decision not to provide.
  • Examples:
    • "The police withheld information about the investigation to protect the integrity of the case." (Not giving information)
    • "He withheld his criticism, even though he disagreed with her ideas." (Not expressing criticism)
    • "The company withheld payment until the contract was fully signed." (Not giving payment)
    • "She withheld tears when she heard the sad news." (Not showing tears)

2. To Hold Back (Physically)

  • Meaning: To prevent something from escaping or being released. This can be physical.
  • Examples:
    • "The dam was built to withhold the river's flow during the flood." (Preventing the flow)
    • “The gardener withheld the water from the plants until the morning.” (Preventing release of water)

3. To Restrain (Emotionally or Behaviorally)

  • Meaning: To keep something inside, often an emotion or action.
  • Examples:
    • "She withheld her anger and smiled politely." (Keeping anger inside)
    • "He withheld a laugh, struggling to suppress it." (Holding back a laugh)

4. (Formal) To Withhold from a Claim or Benefit

  • Meaning: To refuse to accept something that is rightfully due or claimed. Often used in legal or administrative contexts.
  • Examples:
    • "The insurance company withheld the payment due to lack of documentation." (Refusing payment)
    • "The government withheld funds from the project due to budget concerns." (Refusing to release funds)

Key Phrases and Constructions:

  • Withhold from: (Formal) "He was withheld from the meeting because of his illness."
  • Withhold payment: (Common) "The supplier withheld payment for several months."
  • Withhold information: (Common) “The government withheld information about the threat.”
  • Withhold a response: (Common) “The customer service team withheld a response for too long.”

Synonyms:

  • Refrain
  • Restrain
  • Suppress
  • Conceal
  • Bar
  • Deny
  • Abstain

Tips for Using "Withhold":

  • Context is crucial: Pay close attention to the sentence and the surrounding situation to understand which meaning of "withhold" is intended.
  • Strong Word: "Withhold" carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting a deliberate act of holding back.

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Why are you interested in learning about "withhold"? (e.g., are you studying for a test, writing something, trying to improve your English in general?)
  • Can you provide a sentence where you're trying to use the word "withhold" so I can give you specific feedback?

Synonyms for the word withhold

Practice with vocabulary withhold

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The company decided to ______ the bonus payments until the project's successful completion.
  2. Ethical guidelines require doctors to ______ patient information only with explicit consent.
  3. Despite repeated requests, the government continued to ______ crucial documents related to the scandal.
  4. Businesses often ______ records for several years for audit purposes.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The manager decided to ______ the employee's promotion due to persistent performance issues. A) grant B) defer C) withhold D) approve

  2. Transparency is crucial; organizations should never ______ vital data from their stakeholders. A) divulge B) disclose C) disseminate D) withhold

  3. It is unethical to intentionally ______ information that could impact public safety. A) conceal B) suppress C) divulge D) withhold

  4. After much deliberation, the committee chose to ______ the project, citing budget constraints. A) proceed with B) postpone C) approve D) endorse

  5. During the negotiation, both parties agreed to ______ sensitive details until a formal agreement was signed. A) divulge B) reveal C) disclose D) refrain from disclosing

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company kept the financial reports from the shareholders for several months. (Rewrite using "withhold")
  2. The government decided not to grant its permission for the construction of the new power plant. (Rewrite using "withhold")
  3. The witness chose to keep quiet about the crucial evidence during the trial. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement word, not "withhold")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. withhold
  2. disclose
  3. withhold
  4. retain

Exercise 2:

  1. B) defer, C) withhold
  2. D) withhold
  3. A) conceal, B) suppress, D) withhold
  4. B) postpone
  5. D) refrain from disclosing

Exercise 3:

  1. The company chose to withhold the financial reports from the shareholders for several months.
  2. The government decided to withhold its permission for the construction of the new power plant.
  3. The witness chose to conceal the crucial evidence during the trial.

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