Definition

1. Noun:
   • The act of holding back or keeping within one's possession or control: "Withholding" refers to the deliberate action of not giving, revealing, or releasing something that is expected or required.
   • The portion of income tax deducted from wages and paid directly to the government: In a financial context, "withholding" specifically denotes the amount of tax an employer deducts from an employee's salary and remits to tax authorities.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Act of holding back):
  • I resented his withholding of permission for the project.
  • There were serious allegations regarding the withholding of crucial evidence during the trial.
• Noun (Income tax deduction):
  • Your paycheck is smaller due to tax withholding.
  • The employer is responsible for the withholding and payment of federal taxes.

Advanced Usage

• "Withholding of information": The deliberate act of not disclosing information.
  • The scandal involved the systematic withholding of information from the public.
• "Emotional withholding": A psychological term for refusing to share emotional intimacy or validation.
  • His emotional withholding created distance in the relationship.

Variants and Related Words

• Withhold (verb): To refuse to give; to hold back.
  • The company can withhold payment until the work is completed.
• Withholder (noun): A person or entity that withholds something.
  • The tax withholder must file specific forms.

Synonyms

• Retention: The continued possession, use, or control of something.
• Deduction: The action of subtracting something, especially tax from wages.
• Suppression: The action of suppressing something such as an activity or publication.

Related Phrases

• Withholding tax: The amount of income tax an employer withholds from an employee's wages.
  • The treaty reduced the rate of withholding tax on dividends.
• Failure to withhold: A legal or financial violation for not deducting required taxes.
  • The business faced penalties for failure to withhold payroll taxes.

Idioms

• To be accused of withholding: To be formally charged with not providing something one is obligated to give.
  • The official was accused of withholding documents from the investigation.

Noun

1. the act of holding back or keeping within your possession or control
   • I resented his withholding permission
   • there were allegations of the withholding of evidence
2. income tax withheld from employees' wages and paid directly to the government by the employer
3. the act of deducting from an employee's salary