withdrew

USAGE SUMMARY

"withdrew" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used as a verb to mean to take back or remove something. Example: She withdrew her application because she decided to pursue a different career.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Last July, it looked like his 30-year career in politics had run its course when his long-term coalition partner in Luxembourg, the Socialist Workers party, withdrew its support and Juncker resigned as prime minister.

The Guardian

Costs spiralled, investors withdrew backing and the future of the project for long periods hung in the balance.

The Guardian

In the early 1990s, thousands of American troops withdrew from Somalia in disarray after a badly planned anti-famine intervention went sour.

The Guardian

There is a close relationship between Guinea and Morocco, but it was a strange gesture by the Moroccans to invite them – they withdrew as hosts for the Cup of Nations, at two months' notice, because of fears about Ebola.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the antithesis of democracy Maina Kiai, UN rapporteur on the freedom of peaceful assembly The 23-year-old single mother says she withdrew from anti-racism campaigning as she was left "feeling violated, isolated, vulnerable and paranoid" by the attempted recruitment.

The Guardian

Neil Gaiman, Alison Bechdel and Art Spiegelman have stepped forward to host tables at Tuesday's PEN gala in New York honouring the work of Charlie Hebdo, after writers including Peter Carey and Michael Ondaatje withdrew last week in protest.

The Guardian - Books

The Swans suffered a blow before the game when star forward and Coleman Medal leader Lance Franklin withdrew with knee soreness.

The Guardian - Sport

Oliveira said the accusations that Bergoglio failed to speak out against the dictatorship, and withdrew the protection of his Jesuit order from the two priests who were kidnapped, are untrue.

The Guardian

This explains why Sinn Féin withdrew its support in 2005 for a parliamentary bill that would have dealt with the so-called "on-the-runs" – terror suspects or escaped prisoners living outside Northern Ireland.

The Guardian

The share sale comes after Ashley, who receives no salary or dividends from Sports Direct, withdrew from plans to include him in a company bonus scheme.

The Guardian - Business

Out of respect for those we offended, we immediately apologised and withdrew the film".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "withdrew", ensure the context clearly indicates what was taken back or removed. For instance, specify "withdrew support" or "withdrew funds" to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "withdrew" without specifying what was withdrawn. For example, instead of saying "The company withdrew", specify "The company withdrew its product line" to provide clarity.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "withdrew" is as the past tense of the verb "withdraw". It denotes the action of taking something back, removing something, or retreating from a position. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

15%

Business

10%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "withdrew" functions as the past tense of "withdraw", indicating a past action of taking something back or retreating. Ludwig AI shows the phrase is grammatically sound and versatile across numerous contexts. It appears most frequently in news and media, as well as sports and business publications, marking its register as largely neutral. When using "withdrew", clarity is paramount; ensure the object of withdrawal is clearly stated to avoid ambiguity. Consider alternatives like "retracted" or "rescinded" to fine-tune your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retracted

Focuses on taking back a statement or offer.

retreated

Implies a physical withdrawal or strategic retreat.

pulled back

Suggests a more cautious or strategic withdrawal.

rescinded

Emphasizes the formal cancellation of something.

revoked

Indicates the official annulment of a decree or privilege.

abandoned

Implies leaving something behind, often due to difficulty.

relinquished

Suggests giving up a claim or possession voluntarily.

bowed out

Indicates a voluntary withdrawal from a competition or activity.

backed out

Implies withdrawing from an agreement or commitment.

called off

Focuses on cancelling a planned event or operation.

FAQs

How is "withdrew" used in a sentence?

"Withdrew" is used as the past tense of the verb "withdraw", indicating the act of taking something back or removing oneself. For example, "She "withdrew her application"".

What are some synonyms for "withdrew"?

Some synonyms for "withdrew" include "retreated", "rescinded", "pulled back", and "backed out", depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "withdrew" instead of "removed"?

"Withdrew" is more appropriate when something is intentionally taken back, such as "He "withdrew his offer"". "Removed" is more general and can refer to any kind of removal, intentional or not.

What's the difference between "withdrew" and "retracted"?

"Withdrew" generally means to take something back or remove, while "retracted" specifically refers to taking back a statement or claim. For example, "The newspaper "retracted the article"".