draw out

verb

drew out; drawn out; drawing out; draws out

transitive verb

1

: remove, extract

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

Synonyms of draw out

• lengthen
• increase
• extend
• stretch
• drag (out)
• prolong

Examples of draw out in a Sentence

the actor refused to draw out the interview any further

Recent Examples on the Web

These include sashimi-bōchō (precise, single-stroke slicing techniques used to preserve the texture and appearance of the fish) and shiojime, or salt curing, which uses salt to draw out moisture, concentrate flavor, and improve the texture of the fish. —Annie Daly, SELF, 28 Jan. 2026

Any one senator could object to such a move, drawing out the timeline and further risking a shutdown. —Garrett Downs,emily Wilkins, CNBC, 28 Jan. 2026

Florida continues to draw out-of-state newcomers with its warm weather and access to hundreds of miles of beaches. —Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 Jan. 2026

There are also questions about how drawn out the negotiation process will be after the past couple of offseasons for the Cowboys. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 28 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for draw out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout

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