Withdraw vs. Withdrawal — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on August 22, 2023
Withdraw is a verb meaning to take or pull out. Withdrawal is a noun referring to the act or process of withdrawing.
Difference Between Withdraw and Withdrawal
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Key Differences
Withdraw primarily serves as a verb in the English language. It implies an action, whether it be removing funds from a bank account, stepping back from a commitment, or receding from a previous position. For instance, one might "withdraw money from an ATM" or "withdraw from a race."
Withdrawal, on the other hand, is a noun. It represents the action or result of withdrawing. For example, a person might experience "withdrawal symptoms" after quitting a habit. In financial contexts, one might refer to a "withdrawal slip" used at a bank.
While "withdraw" sets the action in motion, "withdrawal" describes the state or outcome of that action. If someone says, "I wish to withdraw from the meeting," they are expressing an intent. However, saying "My withdrawal from the meeting was sudden" describes the event after it has occurred.
The distinction between withdraw and withdrawal can be seen as the difference between doing an action and the consequence or manifestation of that action. To "withdraw" is to actively pull back or remove oneself, while a "withdrawal" denotes the resulting state or the process of pulling back.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Noun
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Usage
Represents an action
Refers to the act or result
Example
Withdraw money
Made a withdrawal from the bank
Related Terms
Withdrawing, withdrew
Withdrawals, withdrawal symptoms
Contexts
Banking, decision-making
Banking, medical, behavioral
Compare with Definitions
Withdraw
To remove or take away something.
He decided to withdraw his hand from the flame.
Withdrawal
The action of removing something.
His withdrawal of support shocked everyone.
Withdraw
Remove or take away (something) from a particular place or position
She prised open the lid and withdrew a slim diamond ring
Ruth withdrew her hand from his
Withdrawal
The act of leaving or exiting a particular place or situation.
His withdrawal from the party left everyone puzzled.
Withdraw
To take back or retract.
The company had to withdraw its faulty products from the market.
Withdrawal
A method of taking out forces or troops.
The army's withdrawal was strategic and planned.
Withdraw
To cause to leave or return
The government withdrew its diplomats from the capital.
Withdrawal
The act of taking out money from an account.
She made a $500 withdrawal from her savings account.
Withdraw
To cause or help (someone) to stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to dry out.
Withdrawal
A reaction to abstaining from an addictive substance.
He experienced severe withdrawal symptoms when he quit smoking.
Withdraw
Break from a meeting or gathering;
We adjourned for lunch
The men retired to the library
Withdrawal
A retreat or retirement
The dinner guests' withdrawal to the den.
Withdraw
To remove (money) from an account.
Withdrawal
A removal of something that has been deposited, as in an account.
Withdraw
To recall or remove a motion from consideration in parliamentary procedure.
Withdrawal
(Informal) A condition likened to that which is experienced when discontinuing use of an addictive substance
Has been going through withdrawal since his favorite show ended.
Withdraw
To react physiologically and mentally to this discontinuance, often while experiencing distressing symptoms.
Withdrawal
The action of withdrawing something
The withdrawal of legal aid
Withdraw
(figuratively)
Withdrawal
The removal of people from a place, as in the removal of troops from a military position.
Withdraw
To cease to participate or be involved in.
He chose to withdraw from the competition.
Withdrawal
Detachment, as from social or emotional involvement.
Withdraw
(transitive)
Withdrawal
Discontinuance of the use of a drug or other substance, especially one that is addictive.
Withdraw
To draw or pull (something) away or back from its original position or situation.
Withdrawal
The physiological and mental reaction to such discontinuance, often characterized by distressing symptoms
Is going through withdrawal from opioids.
Withdraw
To take away or take back (something previously given or permitted); to remove, to retract.
Withdrawal
The act or an instance of retracting or revoking
Feared the withdrawal of his parents' permission.
Withdraw
To take (one's eyes) off something; to look away.
Withdrawal
Coitus interruptus.
Withdraw
To distract or divert (someone) from a course of action, a goal, etc.
Withdrawal
Receiving from someone's care what one has earlier entrusted to them. Usually refers to money.
Withdraw
To extract (money) from a bank account or other financial deposit.
Withdrawal
A method of birth control which consists of removing the penis from the vagina before ejaculation.
Withdraw
(intransitive)
Withdrawal
A type of metabolic shock the body undergoes when a substance, usually a toxin such as heroin, to which a patient is dependent is withheld. Sometimes used with the substance as modifier.
Heroin withdrawal
Nicotine withdrawal
Caffeine withdrawal
Withdraw
Chiefly followed by from: to leave a place, someone's presence, etc., to go to another room or place.
Withdrawal
An act of withdrawing or a state of being withdrawn.
Withdraw
Chiefly followed by from: to stop taking part in some activity; also, to remove oneself from the company of others, from publicity, etc.
Withdrawal
The sum of money taken from a bank account.
Withdraw
To stop talking to or interacting with other people and start thinking thoughts not related to what is happening.
Withdrawal
The act of withdrawing; withdrawment; retreat; retraction.
Withdraw
To stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to undergo withdrawal.
Withdrawal
The act of taking out money or other capital
Withdraw
Of a man: to remove the penis from a partner's body orifice before ejaculation; to engage in coitus interruptus.
Withdrawal
The act of withdrawing
Withdraw
An act of drawing back or removing; a removal, a withdrawal or withdrawing.
Withdrawal
Avoiding emotional involvement
Withdraw
(law) withdraught
Withdrawal
Formal separation from an alliance or federation
Withdraw
To take back or away, as what has been bestowed or enjoyed; to draw back; to cause to move away or retire; as, to withdraw aid, favor, capital, or the like.
Impossible it is that God should withdraw his presence from anything.
Withdrawal
The termination of drug taking
Withdraw
To take back; to recall or retract; as, to withdraw false charges.
Withdrawal
A retraction of a previously held position
Withdraw
To retire; to retreat; to quit a company or place; to go away; as, he withdrew from the company.
Withdraw
Pull back or move away or backward;
The enemy withdrew
The limo pulled away from the curb
Withdraw
Withdraw from active participation;
He retired from chess
Withdraw
Release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles;
I want to disengage myself from his influence
Disengage the gears
Withdraw
Cause to be returned;
Recall the defective auto tires
The manufacturer tried to call back the spoilt yoghurt
Withdraw
Take back what one has said;
He swallowed his words
Withdraw
Keep away from others;
He sequestered himself in his study to write a book
Withdraw
Remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, taking off, etc. or remove something abstract;
Remove a threat
Remove a wrapper
Remove the dirty dishes from the table
Take the gun from your pocket
This machine withdraws heat from the environment
Withdraw
Retire gracefully;
He bowed out when he realized he could no longer handle the demands of the chairmanship
Withdraw
Remove (a commodity) from (a supply source);
She drew $2,000 from the account
The doctors drew medical supplies from the hospital's emergency bank
Withdraw
Lose interest;
He retired from life when his wife died
Withdraw
Make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity;
We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
He backed out of his earlier promise
The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
Withdraw
To remove funds from a bank account.
She went to the ATM to withdraw some cash.
Withdraw
To move back or away from a place or situation.
The troops were ordered to withdraw from the area.
Withdraw
Leave or cause to leave a place or situation
UN forces withdrew from the province
Both countries agreed to withdraw their troops
Withdraw
Cease to take an addictive drug
For the cocaine user, it is possible to withdraw without medication
Withdraw
To take back or away; remove
Withdrew his hand from the cookie jar.
Withdraw
To turn away (one's gaze, for example).
Withdraw
To draw aside
Withdrew the curtain.
Withdraw
To remove from consideration or participation
Withdrew her application.
Withdrew his son from the race.
Withdraw
To recall or retract
Withdrew the accusation.
Withdraw
To move or draw back; retire
The lawyers withdrew to the judge's chambers.
Withdraw
To leave or return, as from a military position.
Withdraw
To remove oneself from active participation
Withdrew from the competition.
Withdraw
To become detached from social or emotional involvement
After the snubbing, he withdrew into a shell.
Withdraw
To discontinue the use of a drug or other substance, especially one that is addictive.
Common Curiosities
Is "withdraw" a noun or verb?
Withdraw is primarily used as a verb in the English language, indicating an action.
Does "withdraw" always mean physically pulling something out?
No, "withdraw" can also mean retracting a statement, leaving a situation, or removing support.
Can "withdraw" be used to refer to money?
Yes, "withdraw" can refer to the action of taking money out of a bank account.
How would you use "withdraw" in the context of a competition?
An example could be: "He decided to withdraw from the race."
Can "withdraw" and "withdrawal" be used interchangeably?
No, they cannot. "Withdraw" is a verb indicating action, while "withdrawal" is a noun referring to the act or result.
What does "withdrawal" refer to?
Withdrawal is a noun that refers to the act, process, or result of withdrawing.
Is "withdrawal" used only in medical contexts?
No, while "withdrawal" can refer to medical scenarios like drug cessation, it can also mean removing funds from a bank, leaving a place, or taking something away.
Are "withdrawal symptoms" related to banking?
No, "withdrawal symptoms" usually refer to the physical or psychological effects experienced when ceasing to take an addictive substance.
What's a common synonym for "withdraw"?
A common synonym for "withdraw" is "retract."
Which word would fit: "She made a _____ of $100"?
The correct word here is "withdrawal": "She made a withdrawal of $100."
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
