Withdrawal: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when taking something back or stopping participation, often in a formal or financial context.

• She made a withdrawal from her bank account
• The withdrawal of troops from the region was announced

Commonly used when something is taken away or eliminated, often with a sense of cleaning, getting rid of, or moving from a place.

• The removal of the graffiti took hours
• His removal from the position was unexpected

Suitable in medical, industrial, or process-related situations, especially when something is physically taken out.

• The extraction of the tooth was painful
• Oil extraction is a major industry in the area

Best used in situations involving fetching or recovering something that was lost or hard to get to.

• The retrieval of data from the old hard drive was a success
• The dog’s retrieval of the stick was impressive

Used in contexts where someone chooses to remove themselves from a situation, either physically or emotionally. It can be used in both personal and professional situations. Often implies a decision to leave or step back.

• After the argument, he went into a state of withdrawal and stopped talking to his friends.
• The withdrawal of troops from the conflict zone commenced last night.

Can be used to describe both a physical and mental withdrawal, often temporarily. It can also refer to a place or activity where one goes to rest and recover.

• They booked a weekend retreat in the countryside to relax.
• During the conversation, he felt attacked and decided to retreat from the discussion.

Often used to describe a process or state where someone is becoming less involved or less emotionally attached. It can be used in psychological, social, or strategic contexts.

• The gradual disengagement from the project was noticeable as he lost interest.
• His emotional disengagement from the relationship became apparent over time.

Used when describing a lifestyle or state of seclusion, typically when someone chooses to live away from society. It often has a connotation of permanence or long-term choice.

• She chose a life of reclusion in the mountains to find peace.
• After his controversial statements, the author lived in reclusion, away from public eye.

Used when someone stops doing or consuming something, often associated with symptoms after stopping a substance like drugs or alcohol.

• She experienced withdrawal after quitting smoking.
• The patient showed withdrawal symptoms.

Involves a process or period of time in which a person rids their body of toxins, often used in the context of substance abuse or unhealthy food habits.

• He went to a detox center to get clean.
• She is doing a detox to feel healthier.

Refers to the practice of not engaging in certain behaviors, frequently related to avoiding alcohol, drugs, or sexual activity, usually for personal or health reasons.

• He practiced abstinence from alcohol for several months.
• The program promotes abstinence from drugs.

Describes stopping a habit abruptly without any gradual reduction, usually associated with quitting smoking or drug use.

• He quit drinking cold turkey.
• She decided to go cold turkey and stop using her phone.