draw on

verb

drew on; drawn on; drawing on; draws on

intransitive verb

: approach

night draws on

transitive verb

: bring on, cause

Synonyms

• cause
• create
• bring
• generate
• prompt
• do
• produce
• work

Examples of draw on in a Sentence

the general's imprudent remarks drew on a public rebuke by the secretary of defense

night draws on, so we should hurry home

Recent Examples on the Web

With distillers drawing on local ingredients, innovative cask programs, and meticulous aging techniques, these award-winning whiskies offer complexity and character to rival the best from any country’s whiskey-making tradition. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 16 Aug. 2025

The Woodward Dream Cruise started as a fundraiser, drawing on the cruising heyday of the 1950s and '60s. —Eric D. Lawrence, USA Today, 16 Aug. 2025

The 16-page report, which covers a one-year period up to June 30, draws on more than 1,300 sources, including nearly 600 eyewitness testimonies, photographs, videos, documents, maps and forensic evidence. —Jennifer Jett, NBC news, 13 Aug. 2025

Jefferies ocassionally draws on his life with her and their son in his material — which is fine by Lawrence. —Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 12 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for draw on

• anton
• argon
• axon
• baronne
• baryon
• baton
• boron
• buisson
• bygone
• capon
• cardon
• chiffon

Kids Definition

draw on

verb

: to come closer : approach

as night drew on