Withdraw – Definition and Part of Speech
The word “withdraw” primarily functions as a verb and means to take back or remove something that has been given, offered, or placed somewhere; it can also refer to retreating from participation in an activity or situation. As with many English verbs, it has various forms including the past tense (“withdrew”) and the past participle (“withdrawn”).
Core Synonyms
Below is a table of core synonyms for “withdraw,” along with their nuances and example sentences.
| Synonym | Brief Definition/Nuance | Example Sentence | Style/Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retract | To take back or revoke, often used in the context of statements. | “The politician decided to retract his controversial comment.” | Formal/Professional |
| Pull out | To remove something or cease involvement; informal and casual. | “She decided to pull out from the race at the last minute.” | Informal/Casual |
| Resign | Specifically used for leaving a job or position; formal. | “After years of service, he chose to resign from his post.” | Formal/Professional |
| Recall | To bring back something to its source; often used in business contexts. | “The company issued a recall on the faulty product line.” | Business/Formal |
| Remove | A general term for taking something away from a place or position. | “Please remove your shoes before entering the house.” | Neutral/General Use |
| Exit | To leave, especially used in informal contexts related to leaving places. | “They decided to exit early from the concert due to noise.” | Informal/Casual |
Usage Notes
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Retract: Best suited for formal settings like journalism or public relations where retracting statements is common.
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Pull out: Commonly used in casual conversations, often indicating a decision made suddenly or with less formality.
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Resign: Used predominantly in professional environments to describe someone leaving a position voluntarily.
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Recall: Widely used in business contexts, especially involving products, but can also apply broadly (e.g., recalling information).
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Remove: Versatile across contexts—can be used both formally and informally for physical objects or abstract concepts.
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Exit: Often used casually to describe leaving a place; fits well in narrative descriptions.
Common Pitfalls
One common confusion is between “withdraw” and “retire.” While they can sometimes overlap, such as when someone withdraws from public life by retiring, they are not always interchangeable. “Retire” specifically implies ending one’s career or active work phase due to age or choice, while “withdraw” does not have this connotation.
Final Recap
The synonyms for “withdraw”—retract, pull out, resign, recall, remove, and exit—all offer nuanced ways to express the act of taking something away from its current context. Their usage varies depending on formality, setting (e.g., business or casual), and specificity (e.g., physical removal vs. formal statement withdrawal). To enhance your vocabulary effectively, consider these synonyms’ subtleties and apply them in appropriate contexts through writing exercises or conversational practice.
By understanding the nuances between these synonyms, learners can more precisely communicate their intentions and refine their language skills across different scenarios.