1
as in retreating
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable)
the army was forced to withdraw from the line of battle
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in retracting
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
withdrew the offer of surrender upon hearing the terms
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in removing
to take away from a place or position
withdrew her hand from the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of withdrawing
Although exact details have yet to be released, people familiar with the matter told the Associated Press that Hamas is expected to release all 20 surviving hostages this weekend, while Israeli forces begin withdrawing from most of Gaza.
—
Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
That bill was the backdrop for Skrmetti withdrawing the 2021 opinion.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
The former Soviet Union fought a decade-long war there before withdrawing its troops in 1989, a conflict that left tens of thousands dead and contributed to the USSR’s eventual collapse.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Monday's announcement from the bureau also comes after the agency made the rare move of withdrawing a public update on the test that was set to be published in the Federal Register.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
Harry has twice sued Associated Newspapers for libel, winning one case and withdrawing the other, while his wife Meghan has also won a privacy lawsuit against the publisher.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The former collegiate athlete is now back at her parents' home in Tennessee after withdrawing from the University of Kentucky after her first court appearance, a spokesperson for the school previously told PEOPLE.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Solana Beach formally notified Encinitas and Solana Beach that the city will be withdrawing from the longtime agreement among the three cities for fire services, the latest step in a process that began earlier this year when the Encinitas City Council voted to abandon the cooperative by next March.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Shortly after withdrawing his campaign, Biden put his support behind Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 23 Sep. 2025
Callum Sutherland, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
That bill was the backdrop for Skrmetti withdrawing the 2021 opinion.
—Vivian Jones, Nashville Tennessean, 9 Oct. 2025
The former Soviet Union fought a decade-long war there before withdrawing its troops in 1989, a conflict that left tens of thousands dead and contributed to the USSR’s eventual collapse.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Oct. 2025
Monday's announcement from the bureau also comes after the agency made the rare move of withdrawing a public update on the test that was set to be published in the Federal Register.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 6 Oct. 2025
Harry has twice sued Associated Newspapers for libel, winning one case and withdrawing the other, while his wife Meghan has also won a privacy lawsuit against the publisher.
—Michael Holden, USA Today, 2 Oct. 2025
The former collegiate athlete is now back at her parents' home in Tennessee after withdrawing from the University of Kentucky after her first court appearance, a spokesperson for the school previously told PEOPLE.
—Chris Spargo, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Solana Beach formally notified Encinitas and Solana Beach that the city will be withdrawing from the longtime agreement among the three cities for fire services, the latest step in a process that began earlier this year when the Encinitas City Council voted to abandon the cooperative by next March.
—Luke Harold, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Sep. 2025
Shortly after withdrawing his campaign, Biden put his support behind Harris to lead the Democratic ticket.
—Filip Timotija, The Hill, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withdrawing
Verb
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Yesterday seemed much more like a team retreating by choice, both through in-game changes and by the sheer fear of surrendering another lead — a fear that became a self-fulfilling prophecy.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
6 Oct. 2025
-
The video ends with federal agents retreating into a nearby building as protesters advanced toward their position, shouting and cheering.—
Bonny Chu,
FOXNews.com,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Moreover, the patches of skin behind the upper arms and on the trunk reveal that the reptile had powerful muscles for retracting its forelimbs.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
29 Sep. 2025
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Perhaps that’s why his administration keeps dangling — and then retracting — the prospect of special exceptions for undocumented immigrants who work in certain sectors.—
Patricia Lopez,
Mercury News,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the building feels temporary, with United having previously discussed removing it.—
Laurie Whitwell,
New York Times,
7 Oct. 2025
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More than 200 bodies are still on the mountain, left there because of the difficulty, risk, and cost of removing them, the database says.—
Janet Loehrke,
USA Today,
6 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The superintendent of Julian Union Elementary School District is retiring at the end of the school year after more than a decade leading the tiny rural district in San Diego County’s mountainous east.—
Sam Schulz,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The boss is retiring at the end of the school year.—
Chris Vannini,
New York Times,
9 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even worse, Park and his conservative successors had been bolstered by the very imperial forces from which the South Koreans had hoped to escape, in exchange for renouncing their right to forgive and to hold Japan accountable.—
Eun A Jo,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Nov. 2022
Verb
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If implemented and successful in resolving claim disputes faster and in a fairer way for everyone involved, the Lone Star State could become a model for other states where homeowners have expressed frustration against carriers underpaying or denying damage claim repayments, like Florida.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Still, there’s no denying that horror is integral to the midnight movie, and the late Father of Zombies is widely credited with giving both genres their progressive political reputations.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Withdrawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withdrawing. Accessed 12 Oct. 2025.
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