withdraw

verb

with·​draw wit͟h-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
withdrew wit͟h-ˈdrü How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
 ; withdrawn wit͟h-ˈdrȯn How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
 ; withdrawing wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
Synonyms of withdrawnext

transitive verb

1
a
: to take back or away : remove
… pressure upon educational administrators to withdraw academic credit …—J. W. Scott
b
: to remove from use or cultivation
c
: to remove (money) from a place of deposit
d
: to turn away (something, such as one's eyes) from an object of attention
withdrew her gaze
e
: to draw (something, such as a curtain) back or aside
2
a
: to remove from consideration or set outside a group
withdrew his name from the list of nominees
withdrew their child from the school
b(1)
: take back, retract
(2)
: to recall or remove (a motion) under parliamentary procedure

intransitive verb

1
a
: to move back or away : retire
b
: to draw back from a battlefield : retreat
2
a
: to remove oneself from participation
b
: to become socially or emotionally detached
… had withdrawn farther and farther into herself.—Ethel Wilson
3
: to recall a motion under parliamentary procedure
withdrawable
wit͟h-ˈdrȯ-ə-bəl How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
adjective

Synonyms of withdraw

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Examples of withdraw in a Sentence

She withdrew $200 from her checking account. The prosecutor withdrew her question to the witness. They have withdrawn the charges. withdraw support for a candidate
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
During this period, Obayuwana allegedly tried to cash at least three Treasury tax refund checks worth $382,109 and was successful in cashing one, withdrawing $229,109, federal authorities allege. — Stacy Perman, Los Angeles Times, 29 Aug. 2026 An effort to recall Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson was withdrawn this week by Melinda Jacobson and Dale Osterud, the two Washington residents who filed a petition to begin the process earlier in August. — Zachary Fletcher, USA Today, 28 Aug. 2026 Hoult quickly withdrew from the Harry Potter series, claiming a scheduling conflict just a couple of weeks after word of his casting broke. — Mark Hughes, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 In 2021, Parton asked Tennessee lawmakers to withdraw a bill that would have allowed a statue of her to be erected on the grounds of the state Capitol. — Jasmine Baehr, FOXNews.com, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for withdraw

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from with from + drawen to draw

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of withdraw was in the 13th century

Rhymes for withdraw

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Browse Nearby Words

with distinction
withdraw
withdrawable
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Withdraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withdraw. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

withdraw

verb
with·​draw wit͟h-ˈdrȯ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
with-
withdrew -ˈdrü How to pronounce withdraw (audio) ; withdrawn -ˈdrȯn How to pronounce withdraw (audio) ; withdrawing -ˈdrȯ(-)iŋ How to pronounce withdraw (audio)
1
: to take back or away : draw away : remove
withdraw money from the bank
2
a
: to call back : recall
withdrew the charge of theft
b
: to take back (one's words) : retract
3
: to go away : retreat
withdrew to the country

Medical Definition

Legal Definition

withdraw

verb
with·​draw
withdrew; withdrawn; withdrawing

transitive verb

1
: to remove (money) from a place of deposit or investment
2
: to dismiss (a juror) from a jury
3
a
: to eliminate from consideration or set outside a category or group
withdraw his candidacy
b
: to cease to proceed with
withdrew the question after an objection was sustained
c
: to take back
withdraw a plea
d
: to remove (a motion) from consideration under parliamentary procedure

intransitive verb

1
: to remove oneself from participation
withdraw from a case
specifically : to cease participation in a conspiracy by an affirmative act of renunciation especially involving confession to the authorities or communication of abandonment to co-conspirators
2
: to remove a motion from consideration under parliamentary procedure
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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