1
as in to retreat
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 to renounce
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 to remove
to take away from a place or position
withdrew her hand from the table
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 withdraw
Trump — who has threatened to withdraw from the bloc and questioned its collective-defense promise — has asked allies for plans to reopen the Strait of Hormuz; many have so far blanched at offering support.
—
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Apr. 2026
In addition to Luetkemeyer’s announcement, Gibson also announced plans to withdraw from the race on Thursday, leaving Luetkemeyer uncontested.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Netflix withdrew from the bidding, leaving Paramount to claim the prize.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
In November 2024, Israel approved a ceasefire deal that required it to withdraw from Lebanon.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withdraw
Jeronimo Gonzalez, semafor.com, 9 Apr. 2026
In addition to Luetkemeyer’s announcement, Gibson also announced plans to withdraw from the race on Thursday, leaving Luetkemeyer uncontested.
—Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 9 Apr. 2026
Netflix withdrew from the bidding, leaving Paramount to claim the prize.
—Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Apr. 2026
In November 2024, Israel approved a ceasefire deal that required it to withdraw from Lebanon.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 9 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withdraw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withdraw
Verb
-
Glaciers all over the world -- especially in Antarctica -- are also retreating at a rapid pace, recent research shows.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
9 Apr. 2026
-
After losing her job and her boyfriend, Jamie retreats to her small hometown in Texas, where her friends and memories of a fateful summer in high school turn her life upside down.—
Christian Zilko,
IndieWire,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
President Ahmed al-Sharaa is a one-time al-Qaeda commander who renounced the ideology before taking power.—
Jane Arraf,
NPR,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The race’s queen has decided to renounce her throne … probably.—
Nicole Bennett,
AJC.com,
10 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Still, states are seeing progress, often through intentional efforts to provide financial assistance or remove bureaucratic hurdles like account holds.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Weeks later, the Flyers removed the interim tag from Briere, hired Keith Jones as team president and were officially in a rebuild — and not afraid of using the word.—
Tom Dougherty,
CBS News,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
In 2025, Angel City FC player Elizabeth Eddy, who retired this year, wrote an article in the New York Post arguing the NWSL must stipulate that participants in the league are born with ovaries or undergo gene testing.—
Adam Crafton,
New York Times,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Alex Vesia walked pinch-hitter Davis Schneider to load the bases, then retired the next three batters.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
The emerging uproar could prove costly for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his ability to run campaign ads, or if unions and other groups that endorsed his campaign begin to retract their decisions.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 Apr. 2026
-
Author Michael Wolff said last year that Epstein played a role in introducing the couple in a Daily Beast article that was later retracted.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Tens of thousands fled by boat from Hue, many drowning in the attempt, and by the end of March a million refugees—soldiers, civilians, whole extended families—were clogging Route 7B, a major highway, trying to get farther south.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
13 Apr. 2026
-
More than 12 million have had to flee their homes, earning Sudan the unfortunate privilege of having the world’s worst displacement crisis.—
Nabih Bulos,
Los Angeles Times,
12 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard denied launching attacks on Persian Gulf states after Kuwait's announcement.—
Brian Dakss,
CBS News,
11 Apr. 2026
-
The Democratic candidate for governor categorically denied inappropriate behavior with any congressional staff.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withdraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withdraw. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
