withdrawal
noun
with·draw·al
wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l 
with-
1
a
: the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed
b
: removal from a place of deposit or investment
c(1)
: the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug
(2)
: the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting drug
a heroin addict going through withdrawal
2
a
: retreat or retirement especially into a more secluded or less exposed place or position
b
: an operation by which a military force disengages from the enemy
c(1)
: social or emotional detachment
(2)
: a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)
3
: retraction, revocation
threatened us with withdrawal of consent
4
a
: the act of drawing someone or something back from or out of a place or position
Examples of withdrawal in a Sentence
The general authorized the withdrawal of troops from the fields.
She made a withdrawal from her checking account.
He underwent rehab to help him through his withdrawal from heroin.
She experienced symptoms of nicotine withdrawal after she quit smoking.
Recent Examples on the Web
The Mouse House’s commitment is critical to budgets, storylines, and casting, meaning its withdrawal could mean major changes to the show.
—
Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment regarding either the Alabama ruling of the Title X funding withdrawal.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
Akhundzada has taken a stronger approach on policy since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from the region, despite some officials initially promising a more moderate government.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
And though party and administration officials insisted Biden was capable of manning the Oval Office for another four years, some were well aware of his frailties ahead of his withdrawal, and his team took extensive steps to cover up signs of aging.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withdrawal
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Jake Kanter, Deadline, 1 Apr. 2025
The White House did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment regarding either the Alabama ruling of the Title X funding withdrawal.
—Ivana Saric, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
Akhundzada has taken a stronger approach on policy since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan in 2021 during the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. and NATO troops from the region, despite some officials initially promising a more moderate government.
—Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 31 Mar. 2025
And though party and administration officials insisted Biden was capable of manning the Oval Office for another four years, some were well aware of his frailties ahead of his withdrawal, and his team took extensive steps to cover up signs of aging.
—Julia Mueller, The Hill, 31 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withdrawal
Cite this Entry
“Withdrawal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withdrawal. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
withdrawal
noun
with·draw·al
wit͟h-ˈdrȯ(-ə)l
with-
1
: an act or instance of withdrawing
especially
: a removal of money from a bank account
2
a
: the stopping of the use or giving of a drug and especially a habit-forming drug
b
: the group of often painful physical and emotional symptoms that occur when use of a habit-forming drug is stopped
Medical Definition
withdrawal
noun
with·draw·al
-ˈdrȯ(ə-)l
1
a
: a pathological retreat from objective reality (as in some schizophrenic states)
b
: social or emotional detachment
2
a
: the discontinuance of administration or use of a drug
b
: the syndrome of often painful physical and psychological symptoms that follows discontinuance of an addicting substance
a heroin addict going through withdrawal
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