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
Derived from a Central African shrub, the drug's ability to reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings were uncovered by accident, when Howard Lotsof, a 19-year old addicted to heroin, tried ibogaine out of curiosity in 1962.
—
Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
6 July 2026
Both parties have accused each other of violating the terms – which envision the eventual withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, the full disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international force and a new Palestinian governing body.
—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
5 July 2026
This comeback follows McGregor's prior withdrawal from UFC 303 due to injury, with UFC 329 anchoring International Fight Week.
—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Williams, 44, announced her withdrawal in an Instagram post that included photos and videos of the injury.
—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for withdrawal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Gavin Escott,
USA Today,
6 July 2026
Both parties have accused each other of violating the terms – which envision the eventual withdrawal of Israeli soldiers, the full disarmament of Hamas, the deployment of an international force and a new Palestinian governing body.
—
Sana Noor Haq,
CNN Money,
5 July 2026
This comeback follows McGregor's prior withdrawal from UFC 303 due to injury, with UFC 329 anchoring International Fight Week.
—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
5 July 2026
Williams, 44, announced her withdrawal in an Instagram post that included photos and videos of the injury.
—
Kayla Hayempour,
NBC news,
5 July 2026
See All Example Sentences for withdrawal
Cite this Entry
“Withdrawal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/withdrawal. Accessed 6 Jul. 2026.
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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