withdrawal

American  

[with-draw-uhl, -drawl, with-] / wɪðˈdrɔ əl, -ˈdrɔl, wɪθ- /

noun

• withdrawals
  plural

1. Also withdrawment. the act or condition of withdrawing.

2. Pharmacology. the act or process of ceasing to use an addictive drug.

3. coitus interruptus.

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withdrawal British  

/ wɪðˈdrɔːəl /

noun

1. an act or process of withdrawing; retreat, removal, or detachment

2. the period a drug addict goes through following abrupt termination in the use of narcotics, usually characterized by physical and mental symptoms ( withdrawal symptoms )

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withdrawal Scientific  

/ wĭth-drô′əl,wĭth- /

1. Discontinuation of the use of an addictive substance. The symptoms of withdrawal include headache, diarrhea, and tremors and can range from mild to life threatening, depending on the extent of the body's reliance on the addictive substance.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• withdrawals
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of withdrawal

First recorded in 1740–50; withdraw + -al ²

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Explanation

Withdrawal is when you take something out, like making a withdrawal from your bank account. When you announced you were no longer running for president, your withdrawal from the race disappointed your many supporters. Withdrawal is also used to describe the painful experience that results when you stop taking an addictive drug (when you "take it out" of your system). The state of being emotionally detached is called withdrawal. If a country terminates an agreement like a treaty, that's a withdrawal too. Remember that withdrawal ends in "wal" and not just "wl."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

withdrawal withdrawals

The withdrawal from Minnesota, which saw some 700 immigration agents leave the state, also saw Bovino removed from his post.

From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2026

The problems with so many of those include high fees and lock-in periods with hefty withdrawal penalties.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 23, 2026

Capital Group landed on two withdrawal strategies that depend on the retiree’s goals and expenses.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

His withdrawal overshadowed preparations for the event in Shanghai, though Britain's women did secure silver in the team sprint.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

Strauss scholars disagree on whether his withdrawal was a rejection of his previous accommodation with the regime, a suspicion that it might not last, or simply an old man choosing retirement.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall

Investors have requested withdrawals of more than $10 billion from two of its funds this year.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026

This approach runs a lower risk of the account ever depleting, because withdrawals shrink in years when markets are down.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 21, 2026

A page on the company's website showed a range of services were "partially unavailable" - including card payments, transfers, ATM withdrawals and its customer support services to be having issues.

From BBC ● Oct. 20, 2026

Concerns over debt-financed AI infrastructure investments and the long-term returns on massive AI-related spending have contributed to IPO delays globally and withdrawals from investment commitments.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 20, 2026

The British army in northern France was “making strategic withdrawals to previously prepared positions.”

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

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Related Words

• departure
• disengagement
• exit
• exodus
• resignation
• retirement

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