withdraw
Americanverb (used with object)
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withdraws,
present (3rd person singular)
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withdrew,
past
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withdrawn,
past participle
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withdrawing
present participle
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to draw back, away, or aside; take back; remove.
She withdrew her hand from his. He withdrew his savings from the bank.
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to retract or recall.
to withdraw an untrue charge.
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to cause (a person) to undergo withdrawal from addiction to a substance.
verb (used without object)
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withdraws,
present (3rd person singular)
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withdrew,
past
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withdrawn,
past participle
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withdrawing
present participle
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to go or move back, away, or aside; retire; retreat.
to withdraw from the room.
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to remove oneself from some activity, competition, etc..
He withdrew before I could nominate him.
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to cease using or consuming an addictive narcotic (followed byfrom ).
to withdraw from heroin.
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Parliamentary Procedure. to remove an amendment, motion, etc., from consideration.
verb
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(tr) to take or draw back or away; remove
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(tr) to remove from deposit or investment in a bank, building society, etc
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(tr) to retract or recall (a statement, promise, etc)
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(intr) to retire or retreat
the troops withdrew
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to back out (of) or depart (from)
he withdrew from public life
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(intr) to detach oneself socially, emotionally, or mentally
Synonym Usage
See depart.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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withdrawernoun
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withdrawingnessnoun
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nonwithdrawableadjective
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unwithdrawableadjective
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unwithdrawingadjective
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withdrawableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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withdrawsimple
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withdrawssimple
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have withdrawnperfect
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has withdrawnperfect
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am withdrawingprogressive
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are withdrawingprogressive
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is withdrawingprogressive
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have been withdrawingperfect progressive
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has been withdrawingperfect progressive
Past
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withdrewsimple
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had withdrawnperfect
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was withdrawingprogressive
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were withdrawingprogressive
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had been withdrawingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of withdraw
First recorded in 1175–1225, withdraw is from the Middle English word withdrawen. See with-, draw
Explanation
To withdraw is to take something back or remove yourself from a situation. You might withdraw money from the bank or withdraw yourself from an argument if it gets out of hand. The word withdraw comes from Middle English and still means to draw or take back, like if you withdraw your hand when you’re done holding hands with someone. A newer definition of withdraw is to stay away from others or stop participating in something. You might withdraw from society by holing up in your house, or withdraw from school by dropping out. Another way to withdraw is to promise to do something but then change your mind.
Vocabulary lists containing withdraw
The SAT: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee, Chapters 1–6
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The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
European soccer’s governing body, which had threatened a World Cup boycott and seen several members formally withdraw their letters of endorsement for Infantino, didn’t immediately comment on FIFA’s announcement.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
The Williams sisters were previously set to play doubles together at Wimbledon last month, but had to withdraw after Serena injured her knee during the singles competition.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 5, 2026
This said it was "gravely disappointed" it could still not offer its Advanced Data Protection feature to new UK users, following its decision to withdraw it in February 2025.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
Though she said the win validates her decision to come to Glasgow, she defended the decision of others to withdraw.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
“I withdraw the offer and go back home looking like a fool. You stay here with that monster Heleen.”
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
Under Maine law, the state’s Democratic Party can replace him if he withdraws before 5 p.m. on Monday, July 13.
From Salon ● Jul. 6, 2026
Retail investors have led two straight weeks of U.S. equity outflows, according to data from Bank of America, with the biggest withdraws since December recorded last week.
From Barron's ● May 28, 2026
Another of Elliott's stable, Pied Piper, is currently 35th on the list and will get a run if one more horse withdraws.
From BBC ● Apr. 6, 2026
What would be the consequences if the U.S. withdraws from Syria?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 24, 2026
The snow in my eyes withdraws like smoke.
From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood
But after Gaetz withdrew, Trump’s replacement, Pam Bondi, won bipartisan confirmation with the support of the entire Republican caucus.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
By Saturday Infantino held his hands up and withdrew the plan.
From Barron's ● Aug. 5, 2026
Earlier this week several member associations - including Wales, with England set to follow suit - withdrew support for his re-election.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
The national federations of Serbia, Sweden and Wales on Monday withdrew their support for Infantino and England’s FA is expected to do the same.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
He slowly withdrew his arm from around Stick’s neck and stepped back.
From "The Rock and the River" by Kekla Magoon
Its notice was later withdrawn after angering US politicians, who were concerned it would affect their own citizen's data.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
The funds were withdrawn without prior authorization of the Board of Trustees.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 3, 2026
BBC Sport knows of at least one Uefa member who has withdrawn their letter as the drama of this week has unfolded.
From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026
Funds can be withdrawn tax-free at any point for medical expenses.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 30, 2026
He started out by saying that people were describing me as a taciturn and withdrawn person and he wanted to know what I thought.
From "The Stranger" by Albert Camus
Rep. Chuck Edwards of North Carolina announced he won’t seek re-election, withdrawing from the race on Wednesday.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Portugal winger Luis Figo, who ran for the Fifa presidency against Infantino's predecessor Sepp Blatter in 2015 before withdrawing, called on him to immediately resign.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
We have no debt and try to live off our Social Security, pension and annuities, only withdrawing from our Roth or IRAs for major expenses like a roof or vacations.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
It is another frustrating setback for Draper and a similar scenario to the All England Club, where he talked positively about his fitness before withdrawing just 24 hours before his first-round match.
From BBC ● Jul. 27, 2026
Pickett said, pointing, “Alexander says we’ve silenced some Yankee artillery. They’re withdrawing from the cemetery. What do you say, sir? Do we go in now?”
From "The Killer Angels: The Classic Novel of the Civil War" by Michael Shaara
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
