1. (v. t.) To hold back; to restrain; to keep from action.

2. (v. t.) To retain; to keep back; not to grant; as, to withhold assent to a proposition.

3. (v. t.) To keep; to maintain; to retain.

abstain abstain from arrest avoid begrudge bit bosom bridle check classify close the hand conceal conserve constrain contain control cool cool off curb curtail decelerate deny detain disallow do without dompt enjoin eschew file and forget forbear forgo govern grudge guard hinder hold hold aloof from hold at bay hold back hold down hold fast hold in hold in check hold in leash hold out on hold up husband in petto inhibit keep keep back keep between us keep buttoned up keep by one keep close keep dark keep from keep in keep in check keep in ignorance keep in reserve keep in store keep mum keep on hand keep out keep secret keep snug keep under control keep under wraps lay by lay under restraint let alone let go by make no sign never let on never touch not give away not tell not touch pass up play dumb preserve prohibit pull pull in put apart put aside put by refrain refrain from refuse rein rein in reserve restrain retain retard retrench save save up secrete set apart set aside set back set by shun slow down snub spare stand aloof from straiten veil