withdraw
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to draw back, away, or aside; take back; remove.
She withdrew her hand from his. He withdrew his savings from the bank.
-
to retract or recall.
to withdraw an untrue charge.
-
to cause (a person) to undergo withdrawal from addiction to a substance.
verb (used without object)
-
to go or move back, away, or aside; retire; retreat.
to withdraw from the room.
-
to remove oneself from some activity, competition, etc..
He withdrew before I could nominate him.
-
to cease using or consuming an addictive narcotic (followed byfrom ).
to withdraw from heroin.
-
Parliamentary Procedure. to remove an amendment, motion, etc., from consideration.
verb
-
(tr) to take or draw back or away; remove
-
(tr) to remove from deposit or investment in a bank, building society, etc
-
(tr) to retract or recall (a statement, promise, etc)
-
(intr) to retire or retreat
the troops withdrew
-
to back out (of) or depart (from)
he withdrew from public life
-
(intr) to detach oneself socially, emotionally, or mentally
Synonym Usage
See depart.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
-
withdrawernoun
-
withdrawingnessnoun
-
nonwithdrawableadjective
-
unwithdrawableadjective
-
unwithdrawingadjective
-
withdrawableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
withdrawsimple
-
withdrawssimple
-
have withdrawnperfect
-
has withdrawnperfect
-
am withdrawingprogressive
-
are withdrawingprogressive
-
is withdrawingprogressive
-
have been withdrawingperfect progressive
-
has been withdrawingperfect progressive
Past
-
withdrewsimple
-
had withdrawnperfect
-
was withdrawingprogressive
-
were withdrawingprogressive
-
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
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The ACT Reading Test: Multiple-Meaning Words, List 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Withdraw converted principal before age 59½ and before five years, and you may owe a 10% penalty.
From MarketWatch • May 8, 2026
Three of the posters showed Mr Menk holding an open briefcase filled with US dollar and euro banknotes on fire, with two of them stating "Withdraw from Exploitation" and "Withdraw from Riba".
From BBC • Jan. 8, 2025
Withdraw Nick’s perspective and the lurid plot sticks out of the water like a shipwreck at low tide.
From Washington Post • Dec. 28, 2020
Withdraw and home-school, which at least allows flexibility to do it as we see fit?
From Slate • Sep. 24, 2020
Clarisse yelled, ‘Romans, you have fired on our camp! Withdraw or be destroyed!’
From "Blood of Olympus" by Rick Riordan
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.
