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
But, while one side sees federal withdrawal as the lever to make that happen, the other warns that such moves risk creating a two-tier disaster system, one for the wealthy, one for the vulnerable.
—
Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
For football fans who have been having withdrawals every Sunday (Thursday and Mondays too), the real action is still months away, but at least tomorrow’s NFL Draft can satisfy the itch a little while longer.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
The Hamas official said the militant group is open to a long-term truce that includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and international guarantees, naming Russia, China, Turkey or the U.N. Security Council as possible guarantors.
—Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
That action resulted in some withdrawals, but enrollment soon stabilized and the school’s reputation as a progressive institution solidified.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withdrawal
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show current usage.
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Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
For football fans who have been having withdrawals every Sunday (Thursday and Mondays too), the real action is still months away, but at least tomorrow’s NFL Draft can satisfy the itch a little while longer.
—Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 23 Apr. 2025
The Hamas official said the militant group is open to a long-term truce that includes the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces and international guarantees, naming Russia, China, Turkey or the U.N. Security Council as possible guarantors.
—Wafaa Shurafa and Samy Magdy, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
That action resulted in some withdrawals, but enrollment soon stabilized and the school’s reputation as a progressive institution solidified.
—Randy Mason, Kansas City Star, 23 Apr. 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 30 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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