withdraw

verb

with·​draw wit͟h-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
withdrew wit͟h-ˈdrü How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
; withdrawn wit͟h-ˈdrȯn How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
; withdrawing wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-

transitive verb

1
a
: to take back or away : remove
pressure upon educational administrators to withdraw academic creditJ. W. Scott
b
: to remove from use or cultivation
c
: to remove (money) from a place of deposit
d
: to turn away (something, such as one's eyes) from an object of attention
withdrew her gaze
e
: to draw (something, such as a curtain) back or aside
2
a
: to remove from consideration or set outside a group
withdrew his name from the list of nominees
withdrew their child from the school
b(1)
(2)
: to recall or remove (a motion) under parliamentary procedure

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move back or away : retire
b
: to draw back from a battlefield : retreat
2
a
: to remove oneself from participation
b
: to become socially or emotionally detached
had withdrawn farther and farther into herselfEthel Wilson
3
: to recall a motion under parliamentary procedure
withdrawable adjective

Examples of withdraw in a Sentence

She withdrew $200 from her checking account. The prosecutor withdrew her question to the witness. They have withdrawn the charges. withdraw support for a candidate
Recent Examples on the Web The report continues, Several news agencies that initially published the photo, including The Associated Press, withdrew the image over concerns about digital manipulation. Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 13 Mar. 2024 But, according to a source, production withdrew its application and the shoot has been canceled altogether. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 12 Mar. 2024 The Israeli army, meanwhile, withdrew the bulk of its troops from Gaza in January, leaving fighting forces only in and around Khan Yunis in the south, and establishing only sporadic checkpoints and tank patrols elsewhere. Taylor Luck, The Christian Science Monitor, 12 Mar. 2024 The pandemic has seriously strained the Met’s finances: The company has withdrawn about $70 million from its endowment over the past two seasons. New York Times, 12 Mar. 2024 Due to an editorial issue this photo by the Prince of Wales has been withdrawn … and may no longer by used in any manner. Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2024 According to officials, the women are accused of taking Layman's body out of the home and propping him up in the passenger seat of their car with the help of a third unidentified individual, and driving through a bank drive-thru to withdraw around $900. Landon Mion, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 On Monday night, the teachers union, UTLA, formally withdrew its endorsement of Al-Alim during an emergency meeting of its House of Representatives. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 In early February, Brodeur introduced similar legislation in Tallahassee but quickly withdrew it. Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 1 Mar. 2024

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from with from + drawen to draw

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of withdraw was in the 13th century

Dictionary Entries Near withdraw

Cite this Entry

“Withdraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withdraw. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

withdraw

verb
with·​draw wit͟h-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
withdrew -ˈdrü How to pronounce withdraw (audio) ; withdrawn -ˈdrȯn How to pronounce withdraw (audio) ; withdrawing -ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
1
: to take back or away : draw away : remove
withdraw money from the bank
2
a
: to call back : recall
withdrew the charge of theft
b
: to take back (one's words) : retract
3
: to go away : retreat
withdrew to the country

Medical Definition

withdraw

verb
with·​draw wit͟h-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce withdraw (audio) with- How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
withdrew -ˈdrü How to pronounce withdraw (audio) ; withdrawn -ˈdrȯn How to pronounce withdraw (audio) ; withdrawing -ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)

transitive verb

: to discontinue use or administration of
withdraw a drug

intransitive verb

: to become socially or emotionally detached

Legal Definition

withdraw

verb
with·​draw
withdrew; withdrawn; withdrawing

transitive verb

1
: to remove (money) from a place of deposit or investment
2
: to dismiss (a juror) from a jury
3
a
: to eliminate from consideration or set outside a category or group
withdraw his candidacy
b
: to cease to proceed with
withdrew the question after an objection was sustained
c
: to take back
withdraw a plea
d
: to remove (a motion) from consideration under parliamentary procedure

intransitive verb

1
: to remove oneself from participation
withdraw from a case
specifically : to cease participation in a conspiracy by an affirmative act of renunciation especially involving confession to the authorities or communication of abandonment to co-conspirators
2
: to remove a motion from consideration under parliamentary procedure

More from Merriam-Webster on withdraw

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