withdraw

Syllables: with·drawUK/wɪðˈdɹɔː//wɪðˈdɹɔ/

withdraw verb: to draw or pull (something) away or back from its original position or situation.

Verb

withdraw (third-person singular simple present withdraws, present participle withdrawing, simple past withdrew, past participle withdrawn)

(transitive) To draw or pull (something) away or back from its original position or situation.
- VVhy vvithdravveſt thou thy hand, even thy right hand? pluck it out of thy boſome.1653, David Dickson, “Psal[m] LXXIV. Maschil of Asaph.”, in A Brief Explication of the Other Fifty Psalmes, from Ps. 50. to Ps. 100, London: […] T[homas] R[atcliffe] & E[dward] M[ottershed] for Ralph...
- Hovv counterfeit a coin they are vvho friends / Bear in their Superſcription (of the moſt / I vvould be underſtood) in proſperous days / They ſvvarm, but in adverſe vvithdravv their head / Not to be found, though ſought.1671, John Milton, “Samson Agonistes, […].”, in Paradise Regain’d. A Poem. In IV Books. To which is Added, Samson Agonistes, London: […] J[ohn] M[acock] for John Starkey […], →OCLC, page 19, lines...
1. (transitive) To remove (someone or (reflexive, archaic) oneself) from a position or situation; specifically (military), to remove (soldiers) from a battle or position where they are stationed.
  - Thou neuer vvithdrevvſt thy ſelfe and vvert ſolitarie, but my Spyrite vvas reproouing and diſputing vvith thee.1593, Tho[mas] Nashe, Christs Teares Over Ierusalem. […], London: […] Iames Roberts, and are to be solde by Andrewe Wise, […], →OCLC, folio 24, recto
  - VVithdravve your ſelues, and leaue vs here alone.1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597...
2. (archaic, transitive) To draw or pull (a bolt, curtain, veil, or other object) aside.
  - [S]he was in no mood for sleep; so, putting her light upon the table and withdrawing the little window curtain, she gazed out pensively at the wild night sky.1841 February–November, Charles Dickens, “Barnaby Rudge. Chapter 9.”, in Master Humphrey’s Clock, volume II, London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 284
  - Scrooge glanced towards the Phantom. Its steady hand was pointed to the head. The cover was so carelessly adjusted that the slightest raising of it, the motion of a finger upon Scrooge's part, would have disclosed the face. He thought of it, felt how easy it would be to do, and longed to do it; but...1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Four. The Last of the Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC, page 137
(transitive) To take away or take back (something previously given or permitted); to remove, to retract.
- I wyl be his father, and he ſhal be my ſonne. And I wyl not withdrawe my mercy from him, as I haue withdrawen it frõ him that was before the[e]: […]1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, I. Cronicles xviij...
- Hee that vvithdravveth the corne, the people vvill curſe him: but bleſſing ſhall bee on the head of him that ſelleth corne.1580, Michael Cope [i.e., Michel Cop], “The Eleuenth Chapter”, in M[arcelline] O[utred], transl., A Godly and Learned Exposition uppon the Prouerbes of Solomon: […], London: […] Thomas Dawson, […]...
(transitive) To cause or help (someone) to stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to dry out.
(transitive) To take (one's eyes) off something; to look away.
- The lady looked up; her eyes met those of Mr. Watkins Tottle. She withdrew them in a sweet confusion, and Watkins Tottle did the same—the confusion was mutual.1836, “Boz” [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Passage in the Life of Mr. Watkins Tottle. Chapter 1.”, in Sketches by “Boz,” Illustrative of Every-day Life, and Every-day People. […], volume II, London...
- With this agreeable speech Monks turned short upon the matron, and bent his fierce gaze upon her, till even she, who was not easily cowed, was fain to withdraw her eyes, and turn them towards the ground.1838, Boz [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “Containing an Account of What Passed Between Mr. and Mrs. Bumble and Monks, at Their Nocturnal Interview”, in Oliver Twist; […], volume III, London: Richard...
(figuratively, transitive) To disregard (something) as belonging to a certain group.
- One [poem] by Hercules Rollock on the marriage of Anne of Denmark is better, and equal, a few names withdrawn, to any of the contemporaneous poetry of France.1837–1839, Henry Hallam, “History of Poetry from 1550 to 1600”, in Introduction to the Literature of Europe, in the Fifteenth, Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries, volume II, London: John Murray...
(figuratively, transitive) To remove (a topic) from discussion or inquiry.
(figuratively, transitive) To stop (a course of action, proceedings, etc.)
- The question was put that "The Endeavour" be hired for the occasion; Mr. Alexander Briggs moved as an amendment, that the word "Fly" be substituted for the word "Endeavour;" but after some debate consented to withdraw his opposition.1834 October, “Boz” [pseudonym; Charles Dickens], “The Steam Excursion”, in Sketches by “Boz,” Illustrative of Every-day Life, and Every-day People. […], volume II, London: John Macrone, […]...
(figuratively, transitive) To take back (a comment, something written, etc.); to recant, to retract.
- to withdraw false charges
- Mr. Blotton would only say then, that he repelled the hon. gen's false and scurrilous accusation, with profound contempt. (Great cheering.) The hon. gent. was a humbug. […] The Chairman was quite sure the hon. Pickwickian would withdraw the expression he had just made use of. / Mr. Blotton, with...1836 March – 1837 October, Charles Dickens, “The Pickwickians”, in The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1837, →OCLC, page 4
Synonyms:

unsay, abjure, backpedal, disavow, disown, eat one's words, recall, recant, retract, revoke
(archaic, obsolete, transitive) To distract or divert (someone) from a course of action, a goal, etc.
- I doe not flie, but aduantagious care, / VVith-drevv me from the ods of multitude, […]c. 1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, The Famous Historie of Troylus and Cresseid. […] (First Quarto), London: […] G[eorge] Eld for R[ichard] Bonian and H[enry] Walley, […], published 1609...
- […] Puſillanimity; by vvhich that ſeems great to him, vvhich other men think a trifle: and vvhatſoever is nevv, or great, and therefore thought fit to be told, vvithdravves a man by degrees from the intended vvay of his diſcourſe.1651, Thomas Hobbes, “Of the Vertues Commonly Called Intellectual; and Their Contrary Defects”, in Leviathan, or The Matter, Forme, & Power of a Common-wealth Ecclesiasticall and Civill, London: […]...
(transitive) To extract (money) from a bank account or other financial deposit.
- VVhatever part of his ſtock a man employs as a capital, he alvvays expects is to be replaced to him vvith a profit. […] VVhenever he employs any part of it in maintaining unproductive hands of any kind, that part is, from that moment, vvithdravvn from his capital, and placed in his ſtock reſerved...1776 March 9, Adam Smith, “Of the Accumulation of Capital, or of Productive and Unproductive Labour”, in An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations. […], volume I, London: […]...
Antonyms:

deposit
(intransitive) Chiefly followed by from: to leave a place, someone's presence, etc., to go to another room or place.
- [The] army togither with the kyng of Scottes and the other Lordes there founde, entred Scotland, and did muche hurte in the country of Galloway, deſtroying towns and all that they found abroade, but the people were fled and withdrawen out of theyr way. And when they had taken their pleaſure, the...1577, Raphaell Holinshed, “King Edward the Thirde”, in The Laste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume II, London: […] for Iohn Hunne, →OCLC, page 897, column 2
- VVell daughter, and you gentlevvomen all, / VVithdravv into a chamber by your ſelues, / And vvhen I ſend for you come hither masked: […]1598–1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, Much Adoe about Nothing. […], quarto edition, London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Andrew Wise, and William Aspley, published 1600, →OCLC, [Act V...
Synonyms:

retire
1. (intransitive, specifically) Of soldiers: to leave a battle or position where they are stationed; to retreat.
  - King A horſe, a horſe, my kingdome for a horſe. / [Sir William] Cateſ[by]. VVithdravv my lord, Ile helpe you to a horſe.c. 1593 (date written), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedy of King Richard the Third. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Sims [and Peter Short] for Andrew Wise, […], published 1597, →OCLC...
  - I beg your Greatneſs not to give the Lavv / In others Realms, but, beaten, to vvithdravv.1697, Virgil, “The Eleventh Book of the Æneis”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC, page 554, lines...
(intransitive) Chiefly followed by from: to stop taking part in some activity; also, to remove oneself from the company of others, from publicity, etc.
- I vvill vvithdravv from your Company; retire to the Shades, and perform my Penance of a Thouſand Years.1697, John Dryden, “Notes and Observations on Virgil’s Works in English”, in Virgil, translated by John Dryden, The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […]...
- Novv great Achilles from our Aid vvithdravvs, / By me provok'd; a Captive Maid the Cauſe: […]1715, Homer, “Book II”, in Alexander Pope, transl., The Iliad of Homer, volume I, London: […] W[illiam] Bowyer, for Bernard Lintott […], →OCLC, page 21, lines 448–449
Synonyms:

step out, back out, retire

Show 3 more meaningsShow fewer meanings

(intransitive) To stop talking to or interacting with other people and start thinking thoughts not related to what is happening.
(intransitive) To stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to undergo withdrawal.
- Simon had tried to rob a bank while he was withdrawing, but he had been forced to surrender to the police after they had fired several volleys at him.1992, Edward St Aubyn, chapter 5, in Bad News, London: Picador, published 2012, →ISBN, page 88
(intransitive) Of a man: to remove the penis from a partner's body orifice before ejaculation; to engage in coitus interruptus.
- Like a fool, I agreed to let him make love to me as long as he withdrew before he ejaculated and he promised he would, but then he didn't.2002, Debbie Macomber, “1968 [chapter name]”, in Between Friends, Don Mills, Ont.: Mira Books, →ISBN, page 119

Noun

withdraw (plural withdraws)

(obsolete) An act of drawing back or removing; a removal, a withdrawal or withdrawing.
- Indeed one of theſe VVitneſſes vvas over perſvvaded by ſome Perſons, to be out of the vvay, upon G. B.’s Trial; but he came aftervvards, vvith ſorrovv for his vvithdravv, and gave in his Teſtimony: […]1692 (indicated as 1693), Cotton Mather, “The Tryal of G[eorge] B[urroughs] at a Court of Oyer and Terminer, Held in Salem, 1692”, in The Wonders of the Invisible World. Observations as well...
(obsolete) Synonym of withdraught (“a dismissal of a lawsuit with prejudice based on a plaintiff's withdrawal of the suit; a retraxit; also, a fine imposed on a plaintiff for such a dismissal”).

Synonyms:

withdraught

withdraw meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Urdu and Bengali

withdraw in Tamil

பின்வாங்கு, திரும்பப்பெறு, பணம்பெறு, பின்வாங்கல், திரும்பப்பெறல், பணம்பெறல்

withdraw in Bengali

প্রত্যাহার করা, সরিয়ে নেওয়া

More languagesFewer languages

withdraw in Telugu: ఉపసంహరించు upasaṁhariñcu
withdraw in Malayalam: ഉൾവലിക്കുക, പിൻവലിക്കുക, പിറകോട്ടുവലിക്കുക, റദ്ദുചെയ്യുക
withdraw in Kannada: ಪೆರದೆಗೆ, ಪೆರತೆಗೆ, ಹೆರದೆಗೆ, ಹೆರತೆಗೆ
withdraw in Gujarati: ઉપાડવું upāṛvũ
withdraw in Odia: ପ୍ରତ୍ଯ଼ାହାର କରନ୍ତୁ, ପ୍ରତ୍ଯ଼ାହାର କରିନିଅନ୍ତୁ
withdraw in Sanskrit: संनिरुणद्धि saṃniruṇaddhi
withdraw in Assamese: আঁতৰ ãtor
withdraw in Arabic: سَحَبَ saḥaba, تَرَاجَعَ tarājaʕa
withdraw in Malay: tarik balik
withdraw in Persian: برداشت bardāšt
withdraw in Thai: ถอน tɔ̌ɔn, เบิก bə̀ək
withdraw in Vietnamese: rút tiền, rút lui

Examples of withdraw in a sentence

Envy not! for thou wilt wear / In the dark a shroud as fair; / Golden with the sunny ray / Thou withdrawest from my day; […]1865, Jean Ingelow, “A Dead Year”, in Poems, author’s edition, Boston, Mass.: Roberts Brothers, →OCLC, page 106:
He is a presence to be felt and known / In darkness and in light, from herb and stone, / Spreading itself where'er that Power may move / Which has withdrawn his being to its own; […]1821, Percy B[ysshe] Shelley, Adonais: An Elegy on the Death of John Keats, […], Pisa, Italy: […] Didot; reprinted London: Noel Douglas...
Walter Scape was withdrawn from Eton, and put into a merchant's house.1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, “Returns to the Genteel World”, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and Evans […]...
He thought of it, felt how easy it would be to do, and longed to do it; but had no more power to withdraw the veil than to dismiss the spectre at his side.1843 December 19, Charles Dickens, “Stave Four. The Last of the Spirits.”, in A Christmas Carol. […], London: Chapman & Hall, […], →OCLC...

All 40 example sentences with withdraw

Synonyms of withdraw

9 more synonymsFewer synonyms

Antonyms

deposit

All synonyms and antonyms of withdraw

Forms of withdraw

Verb
third-person singular present	withdraws
present participle	withdrawing
past	withdrew
past participle	withdrawn
second-person singular present (archaic)	withdrawest
second-person singular past (archaic)	withdrewst
third-person singular present (archaic)	withdraweth
Noun
plural	withdraws

Past tense of withdraw: withdrew

Origin of withdraw

PIE word *wí From Middle English withdrawen, withdrauen (“to depart, leave, move away; (reflexive) to go away; (reflexive) to leave someone’s service; (often reflexive) to draw back or retreat (from a battlefield or dangerous place), withdraw; to abandon, desert; to go, go forth; to move; of the sea, water, etc.: to (cause to) ebb, recede, subside; to disappear; to slacken, wane; (often reflexive) to cease, stop; to desist, refrain; (reflexive) to go back on, recant; to avoid, eschew; to bring under control, contain, suppress; to curb, curtail; to delay, put off; to demur, refuse; to carry or take away, deprive of, remove; to contract, draw away or in, retract; to deny, refuse; to revoke; to withhold; to divert; to separate; to adopt, borrow, imitate”) [and other forms], from with- (prefix meaning ‘away; back’) + drawen, drauen (“to drag, pull, tow, tug, draw [and other senses]”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *dʰregʰ- (“to drag, pull; to run”)); see further at with- and draw. The English word is analysable as with- + draw.

From Middle English withdrawe (“act of stopping a judicial proceeding”), from withdrawen, withdrauen (verb): see etymology 1.

Words formed from withdraw

Words that rhyme with withdraw

48 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about withdraw

What does withdraw mean?: Withdraw means to draw or pull (something) away or back from its original position or situation.
What is withdraw in Hindi?: Withdraw in Hindi is हटना (haṭnā). See Withdraw meaning in Hindi.
How do you use withdraw in a sentence?: Envy not! for thou wilt wear / In the dark a shroud as fair; / Golden with the sunny ray / Thou withdrawest from my day; […]
What part of speech is withdraw?: Withdraw can be a verb or a noun.
How do you pronounce withdraw?: Withdraw is pronounced /wɪðˈdɹɔː/ (UK).
What is the past tense of withdraw?: The past tense of withdraw is withdrew.

Words near withdraw in the dictionary

Last updated: 2026-09-02

Pronunciation audio from Wikimedia Commons, each file under its own free license: En-us-withdraw.ogg.

Cite this entry: “withdraw.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/withdraw. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.