The word “withdrew” is the past tense of “withdraw” which means to take back remove or retreat from a particular situation place or commitment. It is commonly used in financial military personal and legal contexts.
This topic explores the meaning usage synonyms antonyms and different contexts of “withdrew” to provide a complete understanding of the term.
Definition of Withdrew
The word “withdrew” refers to an action that took place in the past where something or someone was pulled back removed or taken away from a place agreement or situation.
Etymology and Origin
The word “withdraw” comes from Middle English combining “with-” (meaning away or back) and “draw” (meaning to pull or take away). The past tense form “withdrew” follows the irregular verb pattern.
Different Meanings of Withdrew
The word “withdrew” has multiple meanings depending on the context in which it is used.
1. To Remove or Take Away Something
- Example: She withdrew her support from the project.
- Meaning: She took back her approval or backing.
2. To Retreat or Move Back
- Example: The army withdrew from the battlefield.
- Meaning: The army retreated from the war zone.
3. To Take Out Money from an Account
- Example: He withdrew $500 from his bank account.
- Meaning: He removed money from the bank.
4. To Leave a Group Agreement or Competition
- Example: The company withdrew from the partnership.
- Meaning: The company ended its participation.
5. To Become Distant or Isolated
- Example: After the argument she withdrew from social activities.
- Meaning: She became emotionally distant from others.
Synonyms and Antonyms of Withdrew
Understanding synonyms and antonyms helps to use the word effectively in different contexts.
Synonyms (Words with Similar Meanings)
- Retreated – The soldiers retreated after the attack.
- Removed – She removed her name from the petition.
- Extracted – He extracted his savings from the account.
- Recalled – The company recalled its faulty products.
- Pulled Back – The government pulled back from the agreement.
Antonyms (Words with Opposite Meanings)
- Advanced – The army advanced toward the enemy.
- Deposited – She deposited money in the bank.
- Joined – He joined the competition instead of withdrawing.
- Engaged – She became more engaged in social activities.
- Contributed – The investor contributed more funds to the project.
Common Uses of Withdrew in Different Contexts
The word “withdrew” is used in various fields including finance military legal matters and personal relationships.
1. Financial Use
- Banks and financial institutions use the term when referring to money being taken out of an account.
- Example: John withdrew $1000 from his savings account.
2. Military and Political Use
- Governments and military forces use “withdrew” when talking about troop movements and political decisions.
- Example: The country withdrew its troops from the conflict zone.
3. Legal and Business Use
- The term is used in legal and business environments when referring to contracts agreements and official commitments.
- Example: The company withdrew from the bidding process.
4. Sports and Competition
- Athletes and teams use “withdrew” when they exit a competition or tournament.
- Example: The tennis player withdrew due to an injury.
5. Social and Psychological Use
- The word is also used in emotional and psychological contexts when someone pulls away from social interactions.
- Example: After facing criticism she withdrew from public appearances.
How to Use Withdrew in Sentences
Here are some examples to help understand the correct usage of “withdrew” in different sentence structures.
- She withdrew her application for the job. (Meaning: She took back her job application.)
- The investor withdrew his funding from the project. (Meaning: He stopped financing the project.)
- The cat withdrew into a corner when it saw the dog. (Meaning: The cat moved away out of fear.)
- He withdrew from the debate after facing strong opposition. (Meaning: He left the discussion.)
- The doctor withdrew the needle after giving the injection. (Meaning: The doctor pulled out the needle.)
The Difference Between Withdrew and Other Related Words
Some words are similar to “withdrew” but have slightly different meanings.
| Word | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Withdrew | Past tense of withdraw meaning to remove retreat or take back. | She withdrew her statement. |
| Retreated | Means to move back usually in a military or physical sense. | The army retreated from the battlefield. |
| Resigned | Means to voluntarily leave a job or position. | He resigned from his position as CEO. |
| Revoked | Means to cancel or take back an official decision. | The government revoked the new law. |
| Canceled | Means to end or stop something before it happens. | They canceled the event due to bad weather. |
Importance of Understanding Withdrew
Knowing the correct meaning and usage of “withdrew” is important in both written and spoken English.
- In Professional Settings: It helps in business and legal discussions such as withdrawing offers contracts or applications.
- In Financial Transactions: It is commonly used when discussing bank withdrawals.
- In Everyday Conversations: It helps express actions like leaving an event backing out of a commitment or taking back a statement.
The word “withdrew” is a powerful verb used in multiple contexts including finance military legal and personal interactions. It means to take back remove retreat or leave a situation depending on the context.
By understanding its meaning synonyms antonyms and usage in different situations one can effectively communicate and use the word correctly in both spoken and written English.
