withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 

with-

1

a

: 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

2

a

: 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

4

a

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

b

: coitus interruptus

Synonyms of withdrawal

• retreat
• retirement

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

Massachusetts does not tax Social Security income, but other income, including earnings, withdrawals from pre-tax accounts, and capital gains, is taxable. — Patricia Doherty, Travel + Leisure, 2 Aug. 2026

The Athletic reported last week Madrid were expected to reach an agreement with the German club for the 19-year-old winger, following Paris Saint-Germain’s withdrawal from negotiations. — Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026

The plan calls for a surge in humanitarian aid, governance by a civilian Palestinian administration, the disarmament of Hamas, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and the deployment of an international force to help maintain security. — Reuters, NBC news, 31 July 2026

This process shall be linked to an Israeli withdrawal, in phases, from the areas under its control in Gaza and the decommissioning of armed militias in accordance with article 10 of this Roadmap. — ABC News, 31 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1749, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 

with-

1

: an act or instance of withdrawing

especially : a removal of money from a bank account

2

a

: the stopping of the use or giving of a drug and especially a habit-forming drug

b

: the group of often painful physical and emotional symptoms that occur when use of a habit-forming drug is stopped

Medical Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al -ˈdrȯ(ə-)l 

1

a

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

b

: social or emotional detachment

2

a

: 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

Legal Definition

withdrawal

noun

with·​draw·​al

1

: the act or fact of withdrawing

withdrawal from a conspiracy

2

: removal of money from a place of deposit or investment