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
Recent months have seen several reports of funding cuts and visa withdrawals leaving Afghan women at risk of deportation to Afghanistan - a country where women and girls are subjected to what only can be described as gender apartheid.
—
Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Common symptoms of depression include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal and physical symptoms including unexplained headaches, digestive problems or other aches and pains, psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph tells USA TODAY.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 deal The U.S. and Iran, along with several European nations, reached a nuclear deal in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
—Greg Myre, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
The withdrawal would deal a significant blow to Bangladesh’s air freight industry, which ships a large swath of exports out of airports like Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for withdrawal
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Dr. Ewelina U. Ochab, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025
Common symptoms of depression include fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, changes in appetite, sleep disturbances, social withdrawal and physical symptoms including unexplained headaches, digestive problems or other aches and pains, psychiatrist Dr. Judith Joseph tells USA TODAY.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 12 Apr. 2025
Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 deal The U.S. and Iran, along with several European nations, reached a nuclear deal in 2015, known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).
—Greg Myre, NPR, 11 Apr. 2025
The withdrawal would deal a significant blow to Bangladesh’s air freight industry, which ships a large swath of exports out of airports like Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
—Glenn Taylor, Sourcing Journal, 11 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 19 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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