withdraw
gb/wɪθdɹˈɔ/ us/wɪθdɹˈɔ/
A2
English
~ 2000
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Remove money from a bank account
To take money out of a bank account.
Usage pattern:
to withdraw [amount] from [account/place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'withdraw' with 'transfer', but 'transfer' means moving money between accounts, not taking it out.
Synonyms
take out (More informal and often used in everyday conversation for removing money.)
Antonyms
deposit (Means to put money into a bank account, the opposite of taking it out.)
Collocations
withdraw cash
|withdraw money
|withdraw funds
|withdraw savings
Themes
finance
|daily life
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She withdrew $200 from her checking account.
- You can withdraw cash from any ATM in the network.
- He withdrew all his savings before moving abroad.
Learner examples
- I need to withdraw some money.
- She withdrew fifty dollars.
- He will withdraw cash from the bank.
Verb
B1
action
2
Stop participating in something
To decide not to be part of something anymore.
Usage pattern:
to withdraw from [event/activity/agreement]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'withdraw' with 'quit', but 'quit' is more general and informal, while 'withdraw' is used for formal or planned departures.
Synonyms
pull out (Informal and common in conversation; same basic meaning.)
Antonyms
join (Means to become part of something, the opposite of leaving it.)
Collocations
withdraw from a race
|withdraw from negotiations
|withdraw from a contract
Themes
social
|business
|core_vocabulary
|work
|daily_life
Examples
- The team withdrew from the tournament due to injuries.
- He withdrew from the election after losing support.
- They decided to withdraw from the deal at the last minute.
Learner examples
- I will withdraw from the game.
- She withdrew from the club.
- They withdrew from the meeting.
Verb
B1
action
3
Move back or away
To go back or move away from a place.
Usage pattern:
to withdraw to [place]
Synonyms
retreat (Commonly used in military contexts; implies moving back under pressure.)
Antonyms
advance (Means to move forward, opposite of moving back.)
Collocations
withdraw troops
|withdraw forces
|withdraw to safety
Themes
movement
|military
|space
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- The army withdrew to a safer location.
- He withdrew his hand quickly when the dog growled.
- The company decided to withdraw its staff from the conflict area.
Learner examples
- The soldiers withdrew from the city.
- He withdrew his hand from the hot pan.
- They withdrew to their home.
Verb
B2
action
4
Take back an offer or statement
To take back something you said or offered.
Usage pattern:
to withdraw [offer/remark/application]
Synonyms
retract (More formal and often used for statements or promises.)
Antonyms
confirm (Means to make something definite rather than cancel it.)
Collocations
withdraw an offer
|withdraw a remark
|withdraw an application
Themes
communication
|social
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She withdrew her application after getting another job offer.
- The company withdrew its proposal following criticism.
- He had to withdraw his remark and apologize.
Learner examples
- I will withdraw my request.
- She withdrew her words.
- They withdrew their offer.
Verb
B2
action
5
Become less socially engaged
To spend less time with people and more time alone.
Usage pattern:
to withdraw into [oneself/a room]
Synonyms
isolate oneself (Focuses on being physically apart as well as emotionally distant.)
Antonyms
engage (Means to actively connect with people or activities, opposite of pulling away.)
Collocations
withdraw into oneself
|socially withdraw
|emotionally withdraw
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After the breakup, he withdrew into himself and stopped seeing friends.
- People with depression may withdraw socially.
- She tends to withdraw when she feels stressed.
Learner examples
- He withdrew into his room.
- She withdrew from her friends.
- I withdraw when I feel sad.
Grammar
Dictionary form
withdraw
IPA
GB/wɪθdɹˈɔ/
US/wɪθdɹˈɔ/
Syllables & stress
with - draw (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (draw)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: withdraw
- 3rd Person Singular: withdraws
- Present Participle: withdrawing
- Past: withdrew
- Past Participle: withdrawn
Word family
Forms
withdraws
verb
withdrawing
verb
withdrew
verb
withdrawn
verb
Core family
withdrawal
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
deposit
verb A2
Highlights
- Irregular past: withdrew Verb
- Irregular past participle: withdrawn Verb
Expressions
withdraw an application
1/wɪθdɹˈɔ ən ˌæplɪkˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
Cancel a submitted request or form
To officially cancel a request you sent in before it is processed.
Examples
- He decided to withdraw his application for the scholarship.
- You can withdraw an application at any time before it is reviewed.
withdraw into oneself
1/wɪθdɹˈɔ ˈɪntu wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Become emotionally and socially withdrawn
To spend more time alone and not talk much with others because of feelings like sadness or fear.
Examples
- After losing his job, he began to withdraw into himself.
- She tends to withdraw into herself when she feels nervous.
withdraw money
1/wɪθdɹˈɔ mˈʌni/
fixed phrase
Take money out of an account
To take money out of a bank account.
Examples
- I need to withdraw money before we leave for the trip.
- You can withdraw money at any ATM.
withdraw support
1/wɪθdɹˈɔ səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
Stop giving help or approval
To decide not to give help or approval anymore.
Examples
- Several countries decided to withdraw support for the project.
- She withdrew her support after hearing about the changes.
withdraw troops
1/wɪθdɹˈɔ tɹˈups/
fixed phrase
Remove soldiers from an area
To take soldiers out of a place where they are working or fighting.
Examples
- The government announced plans to withdraw troops by next year.
- They decided to withdraw troops from the conflict zone.