1
as in causing
to be the cause of (a situation, action, or state of mind)
the general's imprudent remarks drew on a public rebuke by the secretary of defense
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in coming up
to come near or nearer
night draws on, so we should hurry home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of drawing on
In terms of water availability alone, users along the Salt River system might have little to worry about, compared with the communities drawing on the dwindling Colorado River.
—
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The idea — drawing on philosopher Nick Bostrom’s concept of differential technological development — is to accelerate the technologies that reduce risk and delay the ones that increase it.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The researchers reviewed dozens of existing systematic reviews, drawing on evidence from hundreds of earlier studies.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The ceremony itself will spotlight the shows, characters and performances that resonated most strongly with audiences over the past year, drawing on fan stories from around the world and footage from the format’s standout titles.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
And while the all-volunteer force has produced the finest military in the world, democracies have historically fielded stronger armies by drawing on the full diversity of talent, perspectives, and experiences of their citizens.
—Zach Iscol, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
At the same time, Microsoft will keep drawing on OpenAI intellectual property.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
In Japan — which takes over 90% of its crude from the region — refiners are asking for the option of drawing on national oil reserves.
—Yongchang Chin, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Saturday, March 7, 2026, were 17, 18, 30, 50, 68, with a Powerball of 24.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Mar. 2026
Shi En Kim, AZCentral.com, 31 Mar. 2026
The idea — drawing on philosopher Nick Bostrom’s concept of differential technological development — is to accelerate the technologies that reduce risk and delay the ones that increase it.
—Big Think, 31 Mar. 2026
The researchers reviewed dozens of existing systematic reviews, drawing on evidence from hundreds of earlier studies.
—Lucy Notarantonio, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
The ceremony itself will spotlight the shows, characters and performances that resonated most strongly with audiences over the past year, drawing on fan stories from around the world and footage from the format’s standout titles.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 24 Mar. 2026
And while the all-volunteer force has produced the finest military in the world, democracies have historically fielded stronger armies by drawing on the full diversity of talent, perspectives, and experiences of their citizens.
—Zach Iscol, New York Daily News, 23 Mar. 2026
At the same time, Microsoft will keep drawing on OpenAI intellectual property.
—Jordan Novet, CNBC, 17 Mar. 2026
In Japan — which takes over 90% of its crude from the region — refiners are asking for the option of drawing on national oil reserves.
—Yongchang Chin, Fortune, 8 Mar. 2026
The winning numbers for the Powerball drawing on Saturday, March 7, 2026, were 17, 18, 30, 50, 68, with a Powerball of 24.
—Chris Sims, IndyStar, 8 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drawing on
Verb
-
The waterway, a critical shipping route, has essentially been closed for the duration of the conflict, causing a supply glut in the oil market that has sent prices skyrocketing.—
Chloe Taylor,
CNBC,
31 Mar. 2026
-
Iran also has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint through which 20% of the world's oil normally flows, causing fuel prices to soar and other economic tumult.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The Johnnies have gone further every year under Pitino, from missing the Big Dance in 2024, to losing in the second round last year, to coming up just short on Friday night.—
Peter Sblendorio,
New York Daily News,
28 Mar. 2026
-
That’s a tough combination to trade if the Marlins want to compete coming up.—
Dave Hyde,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
On the Island of the Gods, fresh ideas arrive like waves, creating a glorious cocktail of cultures and influences.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
31 Mar. 2026
-
One recalled how their oldest child once pushed an unplugged vacuum cleaner across the living room, carefully creating vacuum lines without actually cleaning anything.—
Daniella Gray,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
DeRozan is closing in on Dominique Wilkins (26,668) and Oscar Robertson (26,710) with eight games remaining in the season.—
Jason Anderson,
Sacbee.com,
27 Mar. 2026
-
The Nasdaq extended losses after closing in correction territory Thursday.—
John Towfighi,
CNN Money,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Another cold front will push through the area on Easter Sunday, bringing rain and much cooler temperatures than Saturday.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Cleaver, for his part, has also been hailed for bringing money back to Kansas City.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
1 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The strike was the latest on a health care facility in the Sudan war, which is approaching its third anniversary next month.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
26 Mar. 2026
-
Storms are expected to develop along an approaching cold front during the evening hours, when atmospheric instability and wind shear increase.—
Vytas Reid,
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The pilot, which became operational in October 2020, consists of two offshore wind energy turbines generating 6-megawatts each — enough to power up to 3,000 homes.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
27 Mar. 2026
-
OpenAI shuttered its video generating app Sora, six months on from launching the service.—
Kai Nicol-Schwarz,
CNBC,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
My friend Thai, whose parents were part of the Weather Underground leadership, remembers his father, Jeff Jones, coming home one day to find their family’s Hoboken apartment surrounded by cops—a fire inspector had spotted his tiny crop of marijuana plants on the fire escape.—
Zayd Ayers Dohrn,
New Yorker,
28 Mar. 2026
-
For now, channel the ambition, trust the momentum, and know that the slower, more nourishing chapter is coming.—
Kirah Tabourn,
Condé Nast Traveler,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Drawing on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drawing%20on. Accessed 3 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
