withdraw

[ with-draw, with- ]

verb (used with object)

, with·drew [wi, th, -, droo, with-], with·drawn [wi, th, -, drawn, with-], with·draw·ing.

1. to draw back, away, or aside; take back; remove:

   She withdrew her hand from his. He withdrew his savings from the bank.

2. to retract or recall:

   to withdraw an untrue charge.

   Synonyms: disavow, rescind, revoke

3. to cause (a person) to undergo withdrawal from addiction to a substance.

verb (used without object)

, with·drew [wi, th, -, droo, with-], with·drawn [wi, th, -, drawn, with-], with·draw·ing.

1. to go or move back, away, or aside; retire; retreat:

   to withdraw from the room.

2. to remove oneself from some activity, competition, etc.:

   He withdrew before I could nominate him.

3. to cease using or consuming an addictive narcotic (followed by from ):

   to withdraw from heroin.

4. Parliamentary Procedure. to remove an amendment, motion, etc., from consideration.

withdraw

/ wɪðˈdrɔː /

verb

1. tr to take or draw back or away; remove
2. tr to remove from deposit or investment in a bank, building society, etc
3. tr to retract or recall (a statement, promise, etc)
4. intr to retire or retreat

   the troops withdrew

5. introften foll byfrom to back out (of) or depart (from)

   he withdrew from public life

6. intr to detach oneself socially, emotionally, or mentally

Derived Forms

• withˈdrawer, noun
• withˈdrawable, adjective

Other Words From

• with·drawa·ble adjective
• with·drawer noun
• with·drawing·ness noun
• nonwith·drawa·ble adjective
• unwith·drawa·ble adjective
• unwith·drawing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of withdraw¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, withdraw is from the Middle English word withdrawen. See with-, draw

Word History and Origins

Origin of withdraw¹

C13: from with (in the sense: away from) + draw

Synonym Study

See depart.

Example Sentences

So they thought up both a technical solution and a way for people to withdraw or delete their biometric data with complete agency.

From MIT Technology Review

The FDA withdrew its approval after multiple trials in different parts of the world showed that hydroxychloroquine can actually be dangerous.

From Ozy

Polling in May by the student analytics firm College Reaction shows that 4 percent of all college-going students plan to withdraw from school temporarily.

From Ozy

Late last week, a deal was struck with Oregon’s governor to withdraw the troops.

From FiveThirtyEight

It gained ground from India, but then withdrew its forces, bringing them back close to their starting positions.

From No Straight News

Some say they believe that ISIS will simply withdraw from the city without fighting any heated battles.

From The Daily Beast

Will Christian pharmacists, county clerks, florists, and for-profit wedding chapels really withdraw from society, as you describe?

From The Daily Beast

“After the withdraw, they realized that firefighter Craig-Lewis was missing,” said Philadelphia Fire Commissioner Derrick Sawyer.

From The Daily Beast

She was separated from her colleagues after they were overcome by smoke and heat and ordered to withdraw.

From The Daily Beast

A cruiser shows up and eyes narrow and citizens often withdraw.

From The Daily Beast

The public eye, ever watchful and timid, waits scarcely for the show of danger to take alarm and withdraw its favour.

From Project Gutenberg

When he had finished speaking, he commanded him to withdraw for an hour; after which time, he would tell him his resolution.

From Project Gutenberg

The manner of his prisoner, sufficiently mollified the officer; and he made a sign to his attendants to withdraw.

From Project Gutenberg

For the first time for 18 days and nights it has been found possible to withdraw the 29th Division from the fire fight.

From Project Gutenberg

Thereon the commander of the picquet proceeded to withdraw his men and sent word to Auersperg.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• depart
• disengage
• drop out
• eliminate
• go
• leave
• pull back
• pull out
• quit
• retire
• retreat