withdrawal

noun

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with·draw·al | \ wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l

, with- \

Definition of withdrawal

1a : the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed

b : removal from a place of deposit or investment

c(1) : the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug

(2) : the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug a heroin addict going through withdrawal

2a : retreat or retirement especially into a more secluded or less exposed place or position

b : an operation by which a military force disengages from the enemy

c(1) : social or emotional detachment

(2) : a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)

3 : retraction, revocation threatened us with withdrawal of consent

4a : the act of drawing someone or something back from or out of a place or position

b : coitus interruptus

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Synonyms & Antonyms for withdrawal

Synonyms

Antonyms

Examples of withdrawal in a Sentence

The general authorized the withdrawal of troops from the fields. She made a withdrawal from her checking account. He underwent rehab to help him through his withdrawal from heroin. She experienced symptoms of nicotine withdrawal after she quit smoking.

Recent Examples on the Web Knowing the new cutoffs for the tax brackets can be valuable in choosing which account to tap in December - and for how much - or whether to hold off until early January for an optional withdrawal. — Rich Exner, cleveland, "What are the new tax brackets, standard deductions for the 2020-2021 federal tax returns: That’s Rich! short," 29 Dec. 2020 Taking an early withdrawal from a retirement account before age 59 1/2 isn't a rare move for Americans. — Khristopher J. Brooks, CBS News, "New stimulus bill allows penalty-free 401(k) withdrawals. Should you do it?," 24 Dec. 2020 The Arab League endorsed the late Saudi King Abdullah's 2002 Arab peace initiative which offered full normalization of ties with Israel in exchange for an Israeli withdrawal from the territories occupied in the 1967 war. — Ben Wedeman, CNN, "The UAE and Israel's whirlwind honeymoon has gone beyond normalization," 3 Dec. 2020 The deal has unraveled after President Donald Trump’s unilateral 2018 withdrawal of the U.S. from the accord. — NBC News, "Iran buries slain nuclear scientist and vows to continue his work," 30 Nov. 2020 The White House has been negotiating with Taliban militants to reach a peace deal with the Afghan government to end fighting and allow an American withdrawal. — David Jackson, USA TODAY, "President Trump is expected to order troop withdrawals from Afghanistan and Iraq," 16 Nov. 2020 The first order was made in 2011, and a second in 2012, with the intention to aid an American withdrawal and empower Iraq to be able to defend its own borders. — Hollie Mckay, Fox News, "Billions wasted? Iraqi pilots claim pricey F-16 program is falling apart," 26 Aug. 2020 Warning signs can include everything from changes in routine or personality, to mood swings and social withdrawal, or engaging in risky, self-destructive behavior, according to the Mayo Clinic. — Rachel Hutton, Star Tribune, "After her 13-year-old daughter took her own life, a Minneapolis woman devoted herself to addressing the teen suicide epidemic at its roots.," 31 Jan. 2021 After days of attacks from both parties, the Tlingit eventually ran short on gunpowder and began a tactical withdrawal. — Tess Williams, Anchorage Daily News, "Researchers locate site of 200-year-old Tlingit battle fort that signified resistance to colonization," 29 Jan. 2021

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

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Last Updated

15 Feb 2021

Cite this Entry

“Withdrawal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withdrawal. Accessed 25 Feb. 2021.

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More Definitions for withdrawal

withdrawal

noun

English Language Learners Definition of withdrawal

: an act of moving something away or taking something away

: an act of ending your involvement in something

: the act of taking money out of a bank account

See the full definition for withdrawal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

withdrawal

noun

with·draw·al | \ wit͟h-ˈdrȯ-əl

, with- \

Kids Definition of withdrawal

: an act or instance of withdrawing

withdrawal

noun

with·draw·al | \ -ˈdrȯ(ə-)l

Medical Definition of withdrawal

1a : a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)

b : social or emotional detachment

2a : the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug

b : the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting substance a heroin addict going through withdrawal

3 : coitus interruptus

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withdrawal

noun

with·draw·al