# withdrawal

/wɪðˈdɹɔəɫ/ (US) · /wɪðdɹˈɔːl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/withdrawal
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. taking money out

noun · CEFR B1

the act of taking money out of a bank account.

For teachers: the removal of funds from a bank account or other financial institution.

- I need to make a withdrawal of fifty dollars from the ATM.
- The bank limits daily cash withdrawals to prevent fraud and ensure sufficient liquidity at smaller branches.

Usage: Often used with the verb 'make'.

### 2. stopping a drug

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the unpleasant physical and mental feelings you have when you stop using a drug you are addicted to.

For teachers: the physiological and psychological symptoms experienced when an addictive substance is discontinued.

- He suffered from sweating and shaking during his first week of withdrawal.
- The clinical team monitored the patient closely for severe withdrawal symptoms, including tremors and acute anxiety, during the initial phase of recovery.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'going through withdrawal'.

### 3. military or political removal

noun · CEFR B2 · Formal

the act of moving soldiers or support away from a place.

For teachers: the act of pulling back or removing troops, support, or a statement from a specific context.

- The government announced the full withdrawal of its troops by the end of the year.
- The sudden withdrawal of diplomatic support left the small nation vulnerable to economic sanctions from its neighbours.

### 4. socially pulling away

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

the act of becoming quiet and not wanting to talk to other people.

For teachers: the state of ceasing to participate in social activities or communication, often due to emotional distress.

- Her sudden withdrawal from her friends was a sign that she was unhappy.
- Psychologists noted that social withdrawal is frequently an early indicator of clinical depression in adolescents.

## Examples

- I need to make a cash withdrawal from the bank.
- The sudden withdrawal of government funding forced the local library to reduce its opening hours.
- The diplomat warned that a hasty withdrawal of peacekeeping forces could destabilize the fragile truce and lead to renewed civil unrest in the border regions.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.