What is withdraw? Pronunciation and usage in English

withdraw means . Learn how to pronounce and use withdraw through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of withdraw

withdrawverb

/wɪðˈdrɔː/
Definition & pronunciation of withdraw

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "withdraw." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Core Sound:

  • "With": This part is fairly straightforward. Pronounce it like "wĭth" (rhymes with "myth"). The emphasis is on the "i" sound.
  • "Draw": This is where it gets tricky. It's not pronounced like "draw" as in "to draw a picture."
  • "Back": This part is similar to the "draw" part.

2. The Combined Pronunciation:

The whole word is pronounced like this: ˈwɪθdrɔː

Let's break that down further:

  • ˈwɪθ: (stress on the first syllable) – “wĭth” (as explained above)
  • drɔː: This is the vowel sound that makes it tricky. It's a long "o" sound, similar to the "o" in "caught" or "taught." It’s a rounded vowel – your lips form a small circle as you say it.

Here’s a helpful way to think about it:

Imagine you’re saying "with" and then immediately following it with a very distinct "draw" sound, but with a long 'o' vowel and rounding your lips.

Resources for Hearing It:

  • Google Translate: Type "withdraw" in Google Translate and click the speaker icon. (https://translate.google.com/)
  • Forvo: This website has pronunciations by native speakers: https://forvo.com/word/withdraw/

Tips for Practice:

  • Slow it down: Don't try to say it quickly at first. Focus on getting each syllable right.
  • Listen and repeat: Listen to native speakers pronounce it and repeat after them, paying close attention to the vowel sound.
  • Record yourself: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation.

Do you want me to:

  • Give you some example sentences using "withdraw"?
  • Focus on a specific aspect of the pronunciation (like the vowel sound)?

Usage and examples with the word withdraw in English

Let's break down how to use the word "withdraw" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with several different meanings! Here's a categorized breakdown with examples:

1. Removing Money from an Account (Most Common)

  • Meaning: To take money out of a bank account, savings account, or investment account.
  • Example: “I need to withdraw $50 from my checking account to pay the rent.”
  • Example: “She decided to withdraw her money from the stock market due to market volatility.”
  • Phrases:
    • “Withdraw funds” – (formal)
    • “Take out” – (more casual)

2. Leaving a Situation or Group (Retreating)

  • Meaning: To leave a place, group, organization, or situation, often suddenly or reluctantly.
  • Example: “The team decided to withdraw from the competition after the injury to their star player.”
  • Example: "The company announced it would withdraw its employees from the project."
  • Example: “He withdrew himself from the party, feeling overwhelmed.” (Meaning: he became quiet and avoided people)
  • Synonyms: retreat, quit, step down, disengage.

3. Removing an Offer or Statement (Declining)

  • Meaning: To formally retract or cancel a proposal, statement, or decision.
  • Example: "The government withdrew its offer of funding for the project."
  • Example: “She withdrew her apology after realizing she hadn’t fully understood the situation.”
  • Example: “The lawyer withdrew his plea of not guilty.” (In a legal context)

4. Withdrawing (Psychological - Disengaging)

  • Meaning: (Often used in mental health contexts) To cease engaging actively with emotions, thoughts, or a situation; to become emotionally distant. This is a more nuanced usage.
  • Example: “The therapist suggested he withdraw from dwelling on the past and focus on the present.” (Meaning: stop obsessing about it)
  • Example: “She felt she needed to withdraw emotionally to process her grief.”

Key Considerations & Tips:

  • Context is Crucial: The meaning of "withdraw" almost always depends on the surrounding words and situation.
  • Formal vs. Informal: "Withdraw" is generally considered a more formal word. "Take out" or "pull out" are often more casual alternatives.
  • Prepositions: You’ll often see "withdraw from" (e.g., "withdraw from a group," "withdraw from a project").

Here’s a table summarizing the different uses:

Meaning Example
Money from account “I need to withdraw $20.”
Leaving a situation “The team will withdraw.”
Retracting an offer “The company withdrew its support.”
Psychological retreat “He needs to withdraw his thoughts.”

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about when you want to use "withdraw"? (e.g., finance, business, personal life, a specific situation you're describing?)

Synonyms for the word withdraw

Practice with vocabulary withdraw

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. She decided to ________ her application for the scholarship due to personal reasons.
  2. The company had to ________ its latest product from the market after safety concerns emerged.
  3. The committee voted to ________ the controversial policy after significant public outcry.
  4. His shy demeanor often caused him to ________ from social interactions.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The bank customers often ________ large sums of cash from the ATM before holidays. a) deposit b) transfer c) withdraw d) invest
  2. The company announced its decision to ________ from the international trade agreement. a) join b) participate c) withdraw d) negotiate
  3. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the speaker had to ________ her participation from the conference. a) confirm b) cancel c) commit d) withdraw e) maintain
  4. The editor asked the writer to ________ the highly controversial claims made in the article. a) substantiate b) retract c) reiterate d) amplify
  5. The company decided to ________ its struggling overseas branch rather than continue to subsidize it. a) expand b) establish c) liquidate d) acquire

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. He took back his earlier statement during the heated debate. (Rewrite using "withdraw")
  2. The sudden departure of funds from the investment portfolio caused market instability. (Rewrite using "withdrawal")
  3. Facing personal challenges, she ceased her involvement in most club activities. (Rewrite using a suitable replacement for "cease involvement" that is not "withdraw")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. withdraw
  2. withdraw
  3. rescind
  4. retreat

Exercise 2:

  1. c) withdraw
  2. c) withdraw
  3. b) cancel, d) withdraw
  4. b) retract
  5. c) liquidate

Exercise 3:

  1. He decided to withdraw his earlier statement during the heated debate.
  2. The sudden withdrawal of funds from the investment portfolio caused market instability.
  3. Facing personal challenges, she disengaged from most club activities.

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