Withholding: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone is intentionally not giving or sharing information or resources. Often used in formal or legal contexts.

• The company was accused of withholding vital information from its investors.
• She felt he was withholding his true feelings from her.

Used when someone is escaping or staying away from something through cleverness or trickery. Often has a negative connotation and is used in legal or critical contexts.

• He was charged with evading taxes.
• She evaded the question skillfully.

Used when someone is staying away from someone or something, often to prevent a situation or outcome. Commonly used in everyday conversation.

• He’s been avoiding his responsibilities lately.
• She tried to avoid the busy streets during rush hour.

Used when someone is hiding something or keeping something secret. Often used in situations involving physical objects or abstract ideas like emotions.

• The magician was good at concealing his tricks.
• She was adept at concealing her disappointment.

Typically used in situations where someone is deliberately not giving out information, resources or feelings that they possess. Often implies a degree of control and intent.

• He was withholding information from the police
• The company is accused of withholding payments to its workers

Used when someone is deliberately hiding or keeping something out of sight, often to prevent it from being discovered.

• She was concealing the fact that she had been married before
• The suspect was found concealing stolen goods in his apartment

Often used to imply forceful, intentional effort to keep something from being expressed, such as feelings, information, or actions, often with a sense of control or authority.

• The government was accused of suppressing free speech
• She was trying to suppress her anger during the meeting

Generally used in a more casual sense to mean placing something out of view or keeping something secret, without necessarily a very strong intent.

• He was hiding in the closet during the game
• The children are hiding their toys in the garden