How to pronounce withhold
Say it like with-HOHLD. Withhold has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HOHLD).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce withhold. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- with
- HOHLD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Withhold pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- withKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- HOHLDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of withhold
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: with-HOHLD.
What does withhold mean?
- To keep (a physical object that one has obtained) to oneself rather than giving it back to its owner.“The bank withheld her credit card.”
- To keep (information, assent, etc.) to oneself rather than revealing it.“withhold vital information”
- To stay back, to refrain.“I’ll withhold from asking about it.”
- An immoral action or condition (an overt) that has not been disclosed to others; the consciousness of such an action or condition.
Where does withhold come from?
From Middle English withholden.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with withhold
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of withhold.
Questions about saying withhold
How do you pronounce withhold?
Say with-HOHLD. The American pronunciation is /wɪθˈhoʊld/. In British English it is /wɪðˈhəʊld/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in withhold?
Withhold has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (HOHLD). Broken into parts: with · HOHLD.
Is withhold pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /wɪðˈhəʊld/ (with-HOHLD).