withdraw

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "withdraw" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is removing themselves from a situation, pulling back, or taking back something, such as a statement or an application. Example: "After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my application for the position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Related: Le Pen family feud is a battle for the soul of the Front National – and France In an interview with the centre-right Le Figaro newspaper on Monday, Le Pen, who had threatened to leave the political ring "only at the end of the bout, whether victor or vanquished", seemed almost conciliatory as he said he would withdraw his candidature to avoid further damage to the party.

The Guardian

He warned a decision to withdraw the ambassador could harm Australia's longer term goals.

The Guardian

Icac concluded in its report that the Obeids had arranged for another mining company vying for the licence to withdraw its application, which it suggested was "arguably illegal" under competition law.

The Guardian

He was asked to withdraw, and did withdraw but said: I withdraw but he is still a liar.

The Guardian

One senior Tory said: "If the prime minister wants these plans to work then he has got to remove the deeply offensive threat to withdraw from the ECHR.

The Guardian

Senior Tories have said that the prime minister will face a crippling rebellion unless he drops the threat, outlined last October by the former justice secretary Chris Grayling, to withdraw from the European convention on human rights if a series of changes were rejected.

The Guardian

Some will take a cash lump sum that better meets their needs than a level income stream, and some will reinvest in a pension drawdown fund and withdraw money later.

The Guardian - Money

Platini said it was possible that Uefa could withdraw its co-operation from Fifa if Blatter won or even boycott the World Cup altogether.

The Guardian - Sport

But universities have found themselves in an unaccustomed spotlight over the last few months as student campaigners have called on them to withdraw their investments from companies involved in the extraction of fossil fuels.

The Guardian

We will withdraw if the markets they serve have feasible alternative energy sources (which may not be the case in much of the developing world).

The Guardian

And we will withdraw if they are not also investing in technologies that tackle their emissions.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, choose "withdraw" over more colloquial alternatives like "back out" or "pull out" to maintain a professional tone.

Common error

Avoid using "withdraw" without specifying from where or what is being withdrawn. For instance, instead of saying "He decided to withdraw", specify "He decided to withdraw from the competition" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "withdraw" is as a verb. It is used to describe the action of removing, retracting, or retreating. Ludwig showcases its versatility in contexts ranging from finances to politics, demonstrating its role in expressing deliberate actions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

20%

Sport

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "withdraw" functions primarily as a verb, signifying the act of removing or retracting something physically or figuratively. Ludwig provides numerous examples where "withdraw" is used in diverse situations, from financial transactions to political decisions, and Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness. It is frequently used in news and media, formal business communications, and sports contexts, making it a versatile term in both formal and informal writing. Mastering the nuances of "withdraw" will improve the precision and clarity of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Retract

Refers specifically to taking back a statement or accusation.

Take back

A more general phrase for reclaiming something previously given or said.

Pull out

Implies removing oneself from an agreement or situation.

Back out

Suggests a failure to honor a commitment.

Recant

Formal term for withdrawing a previously held belief.

Rescind

To officially revoke or cancel a law, order, or agreement.

Disengage

To remove oneself from an activity or connection.

Remove

To take something away or to take someone out of a place or position.

Retreat

To move back or away from an enemy or from a difficult situation.

Cancel

To decide that an arranged event will not take place.

FAQs

How can I use "withdraw" in a sentence?

You can use "withdraw" to indicate removing something, such as "to withdraw troops", or retracting something, such as "to withdraw a statement". It also applies to removing oneself from a situation, like "to withdraw from a competition".

What are some alternatives to the word "withdraw"?

Depending on the context, you could use "retract", "recede", "revoke", or "take back" as alternatives to "withdraw".

When is it appropriate to use "withdraw" vs. "retract"?

"Withdraw" generally means to remove or take back, while "retract" specifically refers to taking back a statement or claim. You would "withdraw" troops, but "retract" an accusation.

Can "withdraw" be used in both formal and informal contexts?

Yes, "withdraw" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal settings, you might opt for a more precise synonym depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.