drawing on

verb

present participle of draw on
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

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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 Someone who is actually drawing on the tropes and the techniques of science fiction toward a different end, toward actually accessing capital markets. — Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 3 July 2026 The winning numbers for the Powerball lottery drawing on Wednesday, July 1, are 2, 6, 26, 39, 68, and the Powerball is 6. — Fernando Cervantes Jr, USA Today, 2 July 2026 Vermeule—a former clerk for Scalia—proposes that conservatives should read the Constitution’s ambiguous phrases and general structure in an openly moral way, drawing on principles grounded in the nature and purposes of government. — Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 2 July 2026 The report's authors, drawing on western governments including the US and open sources to report the data, says Russia lost territory in April and May. — Chris Boccia, ABC News, 1 July 2026 While the Dallas Stars already thrive in Texas, the NHL believes the state can support additional teams, drawing on the success of AHL clubs in Austin and Houston's existing infrastructure. — John Cassillo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026 In a separate Psychology Today piece, Julieta Zemla explores how scent can shift in meaning as a relationship evolves, drawing on research that links smell to stress regulation between partners. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 June 2026 The Federal Trade Commission made the stakes concrete in a 2025 study, showing how algorithms drawing on personal data can infer when consumers may have fewer alternatives, greater urgency, or a higher willingness to pay—and adjust prices or offers accordingly. — Ravi Dhar, Fortune, 23 June 2026 Salaviza described the short form as a pure mode of expression in which authentic emotion is fundamental, while von Döhren – drawing on her parallel career as an illustrator – emphasized how effectively the format can convey feeling through storytelling. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 14 June 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for drawing on
  1. causing
  2. coming up
  3. creating
  4. closing in
  5. bringing
  6. approaching
  7. generating
  8. coming
Verb
  • King took a DNA test in May after prosecutors introduced the allegation in court filings, causing his trial to be delayed.
    — Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 10 July 2026
  • Another trip to Uptown on May 20-21, 1977, causing police to shut Lawrence Avenue down in both directions due to such commotion outside the Aragon Ballroom entrance.
    — Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026
Definition of causing
Verb
  • The Americans, at last coming up for air, had a moment late in the half that buoyed a capacity crowd in Seattle’s NFL stadium and numerous watch parties throughout San Diego County.
    — Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 July 2026
  • Of course, actually coming up with the mnemonic can be a task unto itself.
    — Aytekin Tank, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of coming up
Verb
  • Iran’s new energy weapon Following the start of US- and Israeli-led attacks on February 28, Iran almost immediately declared the Strait of Hormuz closed, creating the largest oil supply shock in history.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 15 July 2026
  • Hochul, in signing the order, directed the Department of Public Service (DPS) to consider creating the fund to help support the procurement of a clean energy supply and establish an insurance pool to protect against large loads.
    — Tatiana Sataua, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of creating
Verb
  • The move follows months of tension over the reopening of the Russian Pavilion, which returned this year after closing in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
    — George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 13 July 2026
  • Culpepper, who seemed to be closing in on a major league call-up last month, had landed on the IL from June 16-28 with the same injury.
    — Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 7 July 2026
Definition of closing in
Verb
  • Typhoon Bavi weakened to a severe tropical storm after making landfall in eastern China's Zhejiang province but was still bringing strong winds and heavy rain to eastern China on Sunday.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 12 July 2026
  • So bringing them all in just keeps them from being siloed and gives them more to work with.
    — Max Gao, Variety, 11 July 2026
Definition of bringing
Verb
  • The Forest Service began increasingly approaching the tribe for help.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Messi and the team also celebrated by hugging one another and approaching fans in the stands, waving and cheering with them.
    — Charna Flam, PEOPLE, 8 July 2026
Definition of approaching
Verb
  • The first World Cup in North America for 32 years is generating record attendances, TV viewing figures, and revenues.
    — Chris Pope, Washington Post, 15 July 2026
  • In a new Fortune report, my colleague Amanda Gerut examines why investors appear willing to assign Amazon-like valuation multiples to a company generating only a few percent of Amazon’s revenue while still reporting operating losses.
    — Sheryl Estrada, Fortune, 14 July 2026
Definition of generating
Verb
  • Beyond California, scientists are raising alarms over the planet’s warming oceans, which — coupled with a strong El Niño — could increase temperatures for land dwellers in the coming weeks.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 6 July 2026
  • Over the coming days, he is expected to meet with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss Russia's war.
    — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 6 July 2026
Definition of coming

Browse Nearby Words

drawing (off)
drawing on
drawing out
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Cite this Entry

“Drawing on.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/drawing%20on. Accessed 15 Jul. 2026.

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