Withdrawal
As a Noun
- The act of taking something back or removing it.
- The process of pulling out from a situation, place, or agreement.
- The physical or emotional symptoms experienced when stopping a habit, especially drugs or alcohol.
- A state of being socially or emotionally distant.
As Other Form
- Withdraw (Verb): To take back, remove, or retreat from something.
- Withdrawn (Adjective): Shy, reserved, or socially detached.
Word History
The word withdrawal comes from withdraw, which originates from Middle English withdrauen, meaning “to pull away,” from with (against) and drawen (to draw or pull). It originally referred to physical retreat but later expanded to financial, emotional, and medical contexts.
Examples
- The sudden withdrawal of troops surprised everyone.
- She made a cash withdrawal from the ATM.
- He experienced withdrawal symptoms after quitting caffeine.
- After the loss, he went into emotional withdrawal.
Synonyms
Removal, retreat, retraction, separation, detachment
Related Words
Exit, extraction, disengagement, isolation
Antonyms
Deposit, engagement, advance, participation
