draw out

verb

drew out; drawn out; drawing out; draws out

transitive verb

1
2
: to extend beyond a minimum in time : protract sense 1
3
: to cause to speak freely
a reporter's ability to draw a person out

Examples of draw out in a Sentence

the actor refused to draw out the interview any further
Recent Examples on the Web Bread While the refrigerator has been said to help keep bread from molding, the humidity of the fridge draws out the moisture from the bread, leaving you with bland, dry slices. Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2023 In a performance that complements Lothian’s subtle treatment of Erin’s gender, which flips the script on the familiar narrative of a once-violent man settling down and seeking redemption, Ahmad avoids badass action-girl tropes by drawing out the character’s sadness and fallibility. Time, 24 Aug. 2023 According to polling by Levada, Russians have started to conclude in recent months that the war will be long and drawn out. Tatiana Stanovaya, Foreign Affairs, 8 Aug. 2023 Yet, his brief appearance at the famous Steer N' Stein bar drew out the biggest crowd the fair had seen all week. Soo Rin Kim, ABC News, 8 Sep. 2023 Trust us—a little sugar draws out the squash's flavor. Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 6 Sep. 2023 After the second take, Porter drew out his smartphone and started taking selfies. Billboard Japan, Billboard, 31 Aug. 2023 Consider adding a window or ventilation system to help draw out humidity and moisture. Nafeesah Allen, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Aug. 2023 The star ingredient draws out fluid to help soothe redness and inflammation, according to Starface. India Espy-Jones, Essence, 25 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'draw out.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of draw out was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near draw out

Cite this Entry

“Draw out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/draw%20out. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

draw out

verb
1
: to cause to last longer than usual
2
: to cause or encourage to speak freely
tried to draw the shy child out

More from Merriam-Webster on draw out

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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