as in shy
not comfortable around people
a therapist who is especially good with withdrawn, emotionally troubled children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in retreated
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in renounced
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 removed
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Recent Examples of withdrawn
Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
One child grew increasingly anxious, suddenly unable to order food at restaurants or handle small decisions; the other became quiet, withdrawn and overly attuned to others’ feelings.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025
Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
The report also alleges that over a three-year period, 5,102 Connecticut children under the age of 18 were withdrawn from school for homeschooling and 1,547 children aged 7 to 11 were withdrawn from school.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withdrawn
Adjective
These include frequent unexplained injuries, chronic lack of supervision, new adults entering the home without explanation, ongoing exhaustion after transitions, or a child who suddenly seems fearful or withdrawn.
—Jann Blackstone, Boston Herald, 23 Nov. 2025
One child grew increasingly anxious, suddenly unable to order food at restaurants or handle small decisions; the other became quiet, withdrawn and overly attuned to others’ feelings.
—Daniella Gray, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 Nov. 2025
Verb
His second claim was partially accurate, insofar as riot police and plainclothes security forces, very much in evidence the night before, did appear to have temporarily withdrawn.
—Davood Moradian, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
The report also alleges that over a three-year period, 5,102 Connecticut children under the age of 18 were withdrawn from school for homeschooling and 1,547 children aged 7 to 11 were withdrawn from school.
—Stephen Underwood, Hartford Courant, 26 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for withdrawn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withdrawn
Adjective
-
On the other hand, this contrast with prior Fed picks could make Rieder even more attractive to Trump, who is not shy about busting norms.—
Matt Egan,
CNN Money,
30 Jan. 2026
-
On Bridgerton, Penelope starts off as the somewhat shy and overlooked Featherington daughter.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index retreated nearly 2%, leading losses in the region.—
Yeo Boon Ping,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
-
Moments later, the agents released the man and retreated.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
30 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa never renounced his allegiance to Al Qaeda and has ordered horrific attacks on Syrian Kurds, Druse and Bedouins to consolidate his power.—
Voice of the People,
New York Daily News,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But no evidence suggests that Gu has renounced her American citizenship.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
That lawsuit ended earlier this month after the immigrant detainee who filed the case agreed to be removed from the United States.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
29 Jan. 2026
-
It was rapidly removed, but an image of the listing was grabbed ahead of that.—
Andrew Williams,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
The Huskies are the lone undefeated team left in women's college basketball.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The Huskies are the lone undefeated team left in women’s college basketball.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean insurance is off the table.—
Andrew Rosen,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Social Security benefits — paid mostly to recipients who are older or retired — are typically paid on Wednesdays.—
Mike Snider,
Freep.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
The measure raised modest revenues, which fell as rich people moved out of the country to avoid paying, and the measure was repealed by the government of President Emmanuel Macron in 2017.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
26 Jan. 2026
-
But the current state school aid budget repealed that option.—
Terell Bailey,
CBS News,
23 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Rangel, a mustachioed, natty dresser rarely seen with a hair out of place, hardly had a reputation for a shy and retiring personality.—
Daily News Staff,
New York Daily News,
26 May 2025
-
After running more than 400 games, the researchers concluded that a fully passive style of scavenging – snatching some carrion when no one is looking – was too retiring and less than ideal.—
Matt Hrodey,
Discover Magazine,
4 Oct. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Withdrawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/withdrawn. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
