1
as in to retreat
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) the army was forced to withdraw from the line of battle
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2
as in to renounce
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to) withdrew the offer of surrender upon hearing the terms
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3
as in to remove
to take away from a place or position withdrew her hand from the table
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Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of withdraw But major obstacles remain, as Hezbollah has not formally agreed to the truce and wants Israel to withdraw. —
Abby Sewell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Israeli forces will not withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon, and a Hezbollah official warned the group reserves the right to respond to attacks. —Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026 The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires presidents to withdraw after 60 days from any fighting that Congress has not authorized. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 Despite the ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel hadn’t agreed to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, a key Hezbollah demand. —Will Clark, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for withdraw
Abby Sewell, Chicago Tribune, 17 Apr. 2026 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had said Israeli forces will not withdraw from positions in southern Lebanon, and a Hezbollah official warned the group reserves the right to respond to attacks. —Cnn Staff, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026 The War Powers Resolution of 1973 requires presidents to withdraw after 60 days from any fighting that Congress has not authorized. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 17 Apr. 2026 Despite the ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel hadn’t agreed to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon, a key Hezbollah demand. —Will Clark, NBC news, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for withdraw
Recent Examples of Synonyms for withdraw
Verb
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As tensions escalate into violence, Tina retreats into the basement, seeking refuge from the chaos above.— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2026
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The carrier retreated to Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the island of Crete for maintenance work March 23.— Cybele Mayes-Osterman, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Philip Fong | Afp | Getty Images Japan renounced war under Article 9 of its post-World War II pacifist constitution.— Sam Meredith,Lim Hui Jie, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
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Miami will have the ability to use multiple sizable salary cap exceptions if Wiggins opts out or if Wiggins stays but Miami renounces Powell, which remove his cap hold and eliminate his Bird rights.— Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 15 Apr. 2026
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The president ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem in March, shortly before removing Attorney General Pam Bondi from the Justice Department in early April.— Brooke Migdon, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
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The requirement to print ballots one month before Election Day does not present an insurmountable obstacle to removing candidates; modern technology could facilitate supplemental ballots even within government bureaucracies, making the current restriction outdated.— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2026
Verb
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These threats are something Shojaei and her family know all too well — her brother Masoud, who is retired from playing, has had his assets frozen by the Iranian regime over recent weeks — while their neighbourhood was bombed by the US-Israeli offensive.— Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2026
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He was forced to retire amid his battle with MS, which affects communication between the brain and body.— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 21 Apr. 2026
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Initially hidden, the rotary controller—emblazoned with the Spirit of Ecstasy icon—is revealed when the armrest retracts upon entry.— Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
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Self-retracting nozzles are the most hygienic.— BestReviews, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The victim told officers that after the shooting occurred, an unknown male approached him and took his gun and fled the scene in a black pick-up truck.— Jeramie Bizzle, CBS News, 19 Apr. 2026
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Sudan last week entered a fourth year of war that, in addition to killing 59,000 people, has forced 13 million to flee their homes.— Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 19 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The judge denied the defendants’ request to dismiss the negligence, emotional distress and punitive damages claims.— Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 18 Apr. 2026
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Meanwhile, Baldwin and his legal team worked to get the involuntary manslaughter charges dismissed before the July 2024 trial, though their attempt was initially denied.— Gillian Telling, PEOPLE, 17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Withdraw.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.grautoblog.com/thesaurus/withdraw. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.
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