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

Etymology

Origin of withdrawal

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

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

It also often leads to housing instability, academic withdrawal, and family dissolution.

From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026

In addition to the complications your friend endured, a bad fall can lead to loss of mobility and even a possible withdrawal from social situations due to fear of falling again.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 5, 2026

Hastert served in the House from 1987 until 2007 and became speaker after the turbulent departure of fellow Republican Newt Gingrich and the withdrawal of Gingrich's intended successor, Bob Livingston.

From Barron's ● Oct. 5, 2026

On top of that, if the original owner had started taking the required minimum distributions, the IRS also requires annual distributions in years one through nine, not just a single withdrawal in year 10.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

The four of them sat in the office with the bank manager, who explained that Benji could not make a withdrawal.

From "Millionaires for the Month" by Stacey McAnulty

While a Roth IRA must also be emptied by year 10, the beneficiary doesn’t owe income tax on withdrawals as long as the Roth IRA has met the five-year holding requirement.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 4, 2026

After you reach age 65, you can withdraw HSA money for nonmedical reasons without incurring a 20% penalty, although your withdrawals are usually still taxable as ordinary income.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 2, 2026

For instance, you can ask to be notified when transactions over a certain dollar amount are made, or when any purchases or withdrawals occur.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

The attack overwhelmed the compliance staff, backing up withdrawals further.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 20, 2026

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

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

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