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

Weeks later, in July 2014, Drapatiy coordinated the safe withdrawal of 260 troops from an area that was encircled and relentlessly shelled for weeks by Russian forces.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026

They narrowly voted to exclude emideltide, which has been considered for insomnia, narcolepsy and opioid withdrawal, with numerous other marketing claims including stress, pain and cancer.

From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026

LIV is reeling from the withdrawal of Saudi Arabian financial backing from the end of this season after the Kingdom ploughed in more than £3.75bn to bankroll its first three years.

From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026

Lebanon is working towards a "complete Israeli withdrawal" from areas it occupies, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on a visit to a village where Lebanon's army recently deployed.

From Barron's ● Jul. 22, 2026

Their daughter, Pearl, became commensurately more difficult to manage, her behavior marked by periods of sullen withdrawal and eruptions of anger.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Tournament director Salah Tahlak said players who made late withdrawals from tournaments should be docked points, while Sabalenka said criticism of her was "ridiculous" and that she may not play at the tournament again.

From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026

The remaining $35,000 could come from investment withdrawals or other assets earmarked for discretionary spending.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026

Sen. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, and Rep. Richard Neal, a Massachusetts Democrat, plan to introduce a bill this week that would require annual withdrawals from accounts over $10 million for individuals of any age.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 22, 2026

The latest increase follows several earlier wartime surges in cash withdrawals as Russians have sought a buffer against uncertainty.

From BBC ● Jul. 18, 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