withdraw

verb with·draw \ wit͟h-ˈdrȯ , with- \

|Updated on: 13 Aug 2018

Examples: withdraw in a Sentence

Definition of withdraw

withdrew play \wit͟h-ˈdrü, with-\; withdrawn play \wit͟h-ˈdrȯn, with-\; withdrawing play \wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ, with-\

transitive verb

1 a : to take back or away : remove

pressure upon educational administrators to withdraw academic credit
—J. 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) : take back, retract

(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had withdrawn farther and farther into herself
—Ethel Wilson

3 : to recall a motion under parliamentary procedure

—

withdrawable

play \wit͟h-ˈdrȯ-ə-bəl, with-\ adjective

See withdraw defined for English-language learners

See withdraw defined for kids

Examples of withdraw in a Sentence

She withdrew 0 from her checking account.
The prosecutor withdrew her question to the witness.
They have withdrawn the charges.
withdraw support for a candidate

Recent Examples of withdraw from the Web

But the United States’ bullying tactics and retaliation threats concerned Ecuador enough to have them withdraw the resolution.

— heidi stevens, chicagotribune.com, "Why did the U.S. try to block a breastfeeding resolution, and what do we do about it?," 11 July 2018
If a deal is made, Russell will star as a teacher who takes an interest in a mysterious and withdrawn student.

— borys kit, The Hollywood Reporter, "Keri Russell in Talks to Star in Guillermo del Toro-Produced Thriller 'Antlers' (Exclusive)," 11 July 2018
The Americans were blunt: If Ecuador refused to drop the resolution, Washington would unleash punishing trade measures and withdraw crucial military aid.

— eric levitz, Daily Intelligencer, "It’s Normal for the U.S. to Put Corporate Profits Above Babies’ Health," 10 July 2018
The results of the study will have implications for Indianapolis, which each year withdraws billions of gallons from Eagle Creek Reservoir, where Starkey's farm is located.

— emily hopkins, Indianapolis Star, "In Hendricks County, Ronald Reagan Parkway extension pits science against growth," 9 July 2018
The Americans were blunt: If Ecuador refused to drop the resolution, Washington would unleash punishing trade measures and withdraw crucial military aid.

— jeet heer, The New Republic, "The Trump administration takes a bold stance against mother’s milk.," 9 July 2018
Bush retreated and withdrew her nomination at the end of month.

— david g. savage, latimes.com, "Leonard Leo of the Federalist Society is the man to see if you aspire to the Supreme Court," 6 July 2018
Read more: Consumer watchdogs favor maintaining strong consumer protection laws that discourage robocalling and allow consumers to easily withdraw their consent for being called.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Could a tsunami of robocalls be heading to our cell phones?," 5 July 2018
The firm, which represents plaintiffs in accidents, job discrimination and other cases, briefly represented a woman named Ava Bird in an injury case in 2012 but withdrew after three months.

— bob egelko, SFChronicle.com, "Yelp does not have to remove users’ posts, California Supreme Court says," 2 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'withdraw.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of withdraw

Middle English, from with from + drawen to draw

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

See Words from the same year

withdraw Synonyms

WITHDRAW Defined for English Language Learners

withdraw

verb

Definition of withdraw for English Language Learners

: to remove (money) from a bank account
: to take (something) back so that it is no longer available
: to take back (something that is spoken, offered, etc.)

WITHDRAW Defined for Kids

withdraw

verb with·draw \ wit͟h-ˈdrȯ , with- \

Definition of withdraw for Students

withdrew \-ˈdrü\; withdrawn \-ˈdrȯn\; withdrawing

1 : to draw back : take away

I withdrew money from the bank.

2 : to take back (as something said or suggested) After reconsidering, I withdrew my complaint.

3 : to go away especially for privacy or safety

… warriors had withdrawn to the valley.
—Lloyd Alexander, Time Cat

Medical Dictionary

withdraw

verb with·draw \ wit͟h-ˈdrȯ , with- \

medical Definition of withdraw

withdrew play \-ˈdrü\; withdrawn play \-ˈdrȯn\; withdrawing play \-ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ\

transitive verb

: to discontinue use or administration of

withdraw a drug

intransitive verb

: to become socially or emotionally detached

Law Dictionary

withdraw

verb with·draw

legal Definition of withdraw

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