withdrawal
gb/wɪθdɹˈɔəl/ us/wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
B1
English
~ 7200
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
taking money from an account
The act of taking money out of your bank account.
Usage pattern:
a withdrawal of [amount] from [account]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse the noun "withdrawal" with the verb "withdraw" and say *"I want to withdrawal money"* instead of "I want to withdraw money" or "I want to make a withdrawal." Also, remember the preposition: we usually say "withdrawal from an account," not *"withdrawal of an account."*
Synonyms
debit (A more technical financial term for money taken from an account, often used in banking records rather than everyday speech.)
Antonyms
deposit (Putting money into an account is the opposite of taking it out.)
Collocations
cash withdrawal
|ATM withdrawal
|make a withdrawal
|large withdrawal
|withdrawal limit
|early withdrawal
Themes
money
|business
|daily life
|finance
|daily_life
Examples
- I made a cash withdrawal from the ATM before the store closed.
- The bank charged a fee for each withdrawal from a foreign machine.
- There’s a daily withdrawal limit on this card, so you can’t take out more than $500.
- She checked her balance after the large withdrawal for her rent.
- Frequent small withdrawals can make it harder to track your spending.
Learner examples
- I need to make a withdrawal from my bank.
- This machine does not allow any more withdrawals today.
- Each withdrawal from this account costs two dollars.
- He made a big withdrawal to pay for the car.
- You can see all your withdrawals on your bank app.
Noun
B2
action
2
removal of support or presence
The act of stopping or taking away something that was given or there before, like help, services, a product, or soldiers.
Usage pattern:
the withdrawal of [something] from [place/service]
Common mistake:
Learners often mix up "withdrawal of" and "withdrawal from." We say "withdrawal of troops/support/services" (what is being removed) but "withdrawal from a place/contract/market" (where or from what you are leaving).
Synonyms
removal (A general word for taking something away; "withdrawal" often sounds more official or formal.)
Antonyms
provision (Providing or supplying something is the opposite of taking it away.)
Collocations
withdrawal of support
|troop withdrawal
|withdrawal of services
|military withdrawal
|product withdrawal
|gradual withdrawal
Themes
politics
|business
|society
Examples
- The sudden withdrawal of support left the charity struggling to survive.
- The government announced the gradual withdrawal of troops from the region.
- The company ordered an immediate withdrawal of the faulty product from all stores.
- A withdrawal of services by the union could disrupt public transport across the city.
- The withdrawal of consent meant the study had to stop using her data.
Learner examples
- The withdrawal of support hurt the small project.
- There will be a gradual withdrawal of troops next year.
- The withdrawal of services will affect many people.
- The company announced the withdrawal of the old product.
- The withdrawal of government funding was a big shock.
Noun
B2
state
3
symptoms after stopping drugs or alcohol
Bad body and mind feelings that happen when someone stops or suddenly cuts down on alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs they use a lot.
Usage pattern:
[someone] goes through withdrawal from [substance]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "withdrawal" (the state or symptoms) with the verb "to withdraw" in other meanings. In this sense, we usually say "in withdrawal," "go through withdrawal," or "withdrawal from alcohol/drugs," not *"withdrawal of alcohol"* when we mean the symptoms.
Synonyms
detox (Informal and broader; often used for the whole process of clearing a substance from the body, not only the uncomfortable symptoms.)
Antonyms
intoxication (Being under the active effect of a substance contrasts with experiencing symptoms after stopping it.)
Collocations
withdrawal symptoms
|alcohol withdrawal
|heroin withdrawal
|go through withdrawal
|in withdrawal
|severe withdrawal
Themes
health
|medicine
|emotions
Examples
- She was admitted to the hospital to manage severe alcohol withdrawal.
- He became anxious and shaky, clear signs of withdrawal after quitting smoking.
- Many patients experience insomnia and irritability during opioid withdrawal.
- The doctor monitored him closely while he went through withdrawal from benzodiazepines.
- Without medical help, withdrawal can sometimes be dangerous or even life‑threatening.
Learner examples
- He felt sick because he was in withdrawal from alcohol.
- The doctor helped her with her withdrawal symptoms.
- During withdrawal, he could not sleep well.
- She went through withdrawal after she stopped using the drug.
- Withdrawal can make people angry and nervous.
Noun
B2
action
4
ending participation or involvement
The act of leaving or stopping an activity, course, race, or agreement in an official way.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s withdrawal from [activity/organization]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"he did a withdrawal"* instead of "his withdrawal" or "he withdrew". Use "withdrawal" as a noun with a possessive or article: "his withdrawal from the race," "the withdrawal from the contract."
Synonyms
exit (A broad term for leaving; "withdrawal" sounds more formal and official, especially in written or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
participation (Taking part in something is the opposite of leaving it.)
Collocations
withdrawal from the race
|withdrawal from the course
|withdrawal from the agreement
|sudden withdrawal
|complete withdrawal
Themes
politics
|education
|business
|law
Examples
- His unexpected withdrawal from the presidential race surprised many voters.
- The university processed her withdrawal from the course before the deadline.
- Britain’s withdrawal from the agreement changed the political landscape.
- The company announced its withdrawal from the Chinese market.
- After his withdrawal from the tournament, another player took his place.
Learner examples
- His withdrawal from the race was a big shock.
- The school approved her withdrawal from the class.
- The country’s withdrawal from the deal caused problems.
- The company’s withdrawal from the market was slow.
- Her withdrawal from the project made the team smaller.
Noun
C1
state
5
social or emotional pulling away
A state when someone pulls away from other people and shows less feeling or interest in them.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s withdrawal from [other people / social life]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "withdrawal" here means only a physical action, but in this sense it is mainly about social and emotional behavior over time, not a single moment. It is usually not used for simple shyness in everyday talk; it suggests a stronger or ongoing pulling away.
Synonyms
detachment (Focuses more on emotional distance; "withdrawal" highlights the process of pulling back from social or emotional contact.)
Antonyms
engagement (Being involved and connected with others is the opposite of pulling away from them.)
Collocations
social withdrawal
|emotional withdrawal
|signs of withdrawal
|gradual withdrawal
|withdrawal from friends
Themes
emotions
|psychology
|health
|relationships
Examples
- Social withdrawal can be an early sign of depression.
- Over time, his emotional withdrawal put a strain on their marriage.
- The therapist noticed a pattern of withdrawal whenever difficult topics came up.
- Her sudden withdrawal from friends and family worried her parents.
- The report described the child’s withdrawal in the classroom as a response to stress.
Learner examples
- His social withdrawal made his friends worried.
- Emotional withdrawal can hurt a relationship.
- The teacher saw the boy’s withdrawal from other students.
- Her slow withdrawal from family life was not easy to see at first.
- They talked to a doctor about his withdrawal and sadness.
Noun
C1
entity
6
contraceptive pulling out method
A birth control method where the man pulls his penis out of the woman’s vagina before he ejaculates, to try to stop pregnancy.
Usage pattern:
the withdrawal method of contraception
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that this sense is specifically about a contraceptive method, not about money or drugs. In health texts, "the withdrawal method" refers only to this sexual practice, not to other kinds of withdrawal.
Synonyms
coitus interruptus (A formal, medical or technical term for the same method; not common in everyday speech.)
Antonyms
uninterrupted intercourse (Sex without pulling out before ejaculation is the practical opposite behavior of this method.)
Collocations
the withdrawal method
|rely on withdrawal
|use withdrawal as contraception
|practice withdrawal
Themes
health
|sexuality
Examples
- Many doctors do not recommend withdrawal as a reliable form of birth control.
- They relied on withdrawal for years before switching to condoms.
- The article explained that withdrawal does not protect against sexually transmitted infections.
- Health educators often discuss the risks of pregnancy when couples use only withdrawal.
- She read about how effective withdrawal is compared with other contraceptive methods.
Learner examples
- Some couples use withdrawal as birth control.
- Withdrawal does not protect against diseases.
- Doctors say withdrawal is not very safe as contraception.
- They first used withdrawal, then they started using condoms.
- The brochure explains how withdrawal works and its risk.
Grammar
Dictionary form
withdrawal
IPA
GB/wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
US/wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
Syllables & stress
with - draw - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (draw)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: withdrawal
- Plural: withdrawal, withdrawals
Word family
Expressions
alcohol withdrawal
1/ˈælkəhˌɑl wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
technical
withdrawal from alcohol use
Physical and mental problems that happen when a heavy drinker suddenly stops or greatly reduces alcohol.
Examples
- Severe alcohol withdrawal can be dangerous without medical care.
- The clinic specializes in treating alcohol withdrawal and dependence.
cash withdrawal
1/kˈæʃ wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
taking cash from an account
An act of taking paper money from your bank account, usually from a machine or at the counter.
Examples
- There is a small fee for every cash withdrawal at this ATM.
- Her daily cash withdrawals are limited to $400.
early withdrawal
1/ˈɚli wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
technical
taking funds out too early
Taking money out of a savings or retirement account before the agreed time, often with a penalty.
Examples
- There is a 10% penalty for early withdrawal from this retirement plan.
- Read the rules carefully before making an early withdrawal from your savings account.
emotional withdrawal
1/ɪmˈoʊʃənəl wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
pulling back emotionally
When a person shows fewer feelings and becomes less open or close to other people.
Examples
- His emotional withdrawal made it hard for his partner to feel loved.
- Therapy helped her understand the reasons for her emotional withdrawal.
in withdrawal
1/ˈɪn wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Having physical or mental problems because you have just stopped using an addictive drug or alcohol.
Examples
- The patient is in withdrawal and needs close monitoring.
- He became very irritable while he was in withdrawal from opioids.
make a withdrawal
1/mˈeɪk ə wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
take money from a bank
To take money out of your bank account.
Examples
- I need to go to the bank to make a withdrawal.
- You can make a withdrawal at any ATM that accepts this card.
social withdrawal
1/sˈoʊʃəl wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
avoiding social contact
When a person spends less time with other people and avoids social activities.
Examples
- Social withdrawal can be a symptom of anxiety or depression.
- The teacher noticed signs of social withdrawal in the student.
troop withdrawal
1/tɹˈup wɪθdɹˈɔəl/
fixed phrase
removal of soldiers from area
The act of taking soldiers out of a country or area where they were staying or fighting.
Examples
- The peace deal includes a timetable for troop withdrawal.
- Troop withdrawals will begin as soon as the ceasefire holds.
withdrawal limit
1/wɪθdɹˈɔəl lˈɪmɪt/
fixed phrase
technical
maximum you can withdraw
The highest amount of money you can take from your bank account in a day or another time period.
Examples
- Your daily withdrawal limit is €500 with this card.
- If you reach your withdrawal limit, you must wait until tomorrow to take out more money.
withdrawal method
1/wɪθdɹˈɔəl mˈɛθəd/
fixed phrase
pull-out birth control method
A way to try to stop pregnancy by pulling the penis out of the vagina before the man ejaculates.
Examples
- The withdrawal method is less effective than many other forms of contraception.
- Health educators explain the risks of relying only on the withdrawal method.
withdrawal of support
1/wɪθdɹˈɔəl əv səpˈɔɹt/
fixed phrase
ending help or backing
When a person or group stops helping or backing another person, group, or plan.
Examples
- The withdrawal of support from key donors forced the project to close.
- Her withdrawal of support damaged his chances of winning the election.
withdrawal symptoms
1/wɪθdɹˈɔəl sˈɪmptəmz/
fixed phrase
effects after stopping a drug
Physical or mental problems that happen after a person stops using alcohol, cigarettes, or another drug they used a lot.
Examples
- He felt strong withdrawal symptoms after he quit smoking.
- The clinic helps patients manage withdrawal symptoms safely.