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
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 withdrawing
Lupel continued working to get Dotson’s rape conviction overturned until withdrawing as his attorney in 1986.
—
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The group later held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq and began withdrawing its remaining fighters from Turkey.
—Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In the wake of the Pretti shooting by Border Patrol agents, Homan announced last week that 700 immigration enforcement officials would start withdrawing from Minnesota.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
India agreed to draw down its purchases, thereby withdrawing a critical financial lifeline for Russia amid its war against Ukraine.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Investigators said Neves-Valente was a former Brown University student who attended the Ivy League school from 2000 to 2001 as part of a PhD program in physics before formally withdrawing in the fall of 2003.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power again in August 2021 as American and NATO troops were withdrawing after a 20-year war, of harboring militants and members of the Pakistani Taliban.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Besides withdrawing hundreds of ICE agents, the White House has taken other steps to deescalate tensions in Minneapolis.
—Alicia Diaz, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, Trump has been withdrawing ICE and other agencies from Minnesota and other liberal states and towns.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
The group later held a symbolic disarmament ceremony in northern Iraq and began withdrawing its remaining fighters from Turkey.
—Suzan Fraser, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
In the wake of the Pretti shooting by Border Patrol agents, Homan announced last week that 700 immigration enforcement officials would start withdrawing from Minnesota.
—Julia Manchester, The Hill, 12 Feb. 2026
India agreed to draw down its purchases, thereby withdrawing a critical financial lifeline for Russia amid its war against Ukraine.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 9 Feb. 2026
Investigators said Neves-Valente was a former Brown University student who attended the Ivy League school from 2000 to 2001 as part of a PhD program in physics before formally withdrawing in the fall of 2003.
—Ashley Carnahan, FOXNews.com, 9 Feb. 2026
Pakistan often accuses Afghanistan, where the Taliban seized power again in August 2021 as American and NATO troops were withdrawing after a 20-year war, of harboring militants and members of the Pakistani Taliban.
—Arkansas Online, 7 Feb. 2026
Besides withdrawing hundreds of ICE agents, the White House has taken other steps to deescalate tensions in Minneapolis.
—Alicia Diaz, Fortune, 7 Feb. 2026
Unfortunately, Trump has been withdrawing ICE and other agencies from Minnesota and other liberal states and towns.
—Rob Crilly, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withdrawing
Verb
-
American automakers sell vehicles in Europe and other markets where emissions standards remain strict, and retreating too far from electrification could weaken global competitiveness.—
Julian Torres,
CNN Money,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Totality ends and the process reverses, with the umbra gradually retreating across the lunar surface.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Her delicate proto-shell dangles below, her tiny sails and blossoming eyes retracting at the scent of predators.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
-
With retracting landing gear and a striking look, too, this set is ideal for young ones with plenty of imagination.—
Alexander Cox,
Space.com,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
As the reservoirs of the Republican and Democratic voters evaporate, independents are becoming a stream of optimism for removing the wasteful and destructive policy of the two-party war that is pushing us further apart.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
21 Feb. 2026
-
How to get rid of fruit flies To quickly eliminate fruit flies, start by thoroughly cleaning your kitchen and removing overripe or rotting fruits and vegetables.—
Tiffany Acosta,
AZCentral.com,
21 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
While retiring isn’t on her mind, Alysa has emphasized the importance of taking breaks in order to advance in your career.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
24 Feb. 2026
-
With Bozeman retiring, the Chargers will initially save close to $6 million in space, according to Over the Cap.—
Daniel Popper,
New York Times,
24 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its roots are in publicly paying penance for serious sins or crimes in the eyes of the church, like adultery or apostasy, which means renouncing the church and its beliefs.—
Lianna Norman,
Florida Times-Union,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Margaret’s father succeeded him as King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, never forgave the duke for renouncing his duty to his country.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
And Pete Hegseth’s advice on sending in federal forces can be inferred by his support of a pastor calling for denying women the vote.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
21 Feb. 2026
-
Egbert made her point as a legislative committee met at the Capitol to consider a bill by a fellow representative, Republican Lucas Cayler of Caldwell, to limit instances in which criminal charges can be brought against parents for denying medical care or other basic needs to their children.—
Sarah Cutler,
Idaho Statesman,
20 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Other recommendations included repealing any crime-free nuisance ordinances around housing, establishing an Office of Immigrant and Refugee Rights and creating a program that diverts young people away from the justice system.—
R. Christian Smith,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Feb. 2026
-
The controversy might make for good ratings and fundraising appeals, but Congress could address the underlying issue simply by repealing the outdated regulation — or eliminating the Federal Communications Commission altogether.—
Editorial Board,
Washington Post,
18 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withdrawing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withdrawing. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
