What is withdrawn? Pronunciation and usage in English

withdrawn means . Learn how to pronounce and use withdrawn through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of withdrawn

withdrawnadjective

/wɪðˈdrɔːn//wɪðˈdrɔːn/

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "withdrawn."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

1. Syllables:

The word is broken down into three syllables: with-drawn

2. Pronunciation:

  • with: Pronounced like "wihth" (rhymes with "with it") - The 'th' sound is a voiceless dental fricative – your tongue taps the back of your teeth.
  • drawn: Pronounced like “drahn” (rhymes with "ran" or "man") - Notice the short "a" sound.

3. Combined:

Put it all together: wihth-drahn

4. Key Points & Tips:

  • The 'th' sound: This is the biggest hurdle. Practice saying "thin" and "this" slowly, focusing on the position of your tongue.
  • Short 'a' in 'drawn': Don't say "aw" like in "saw." It's a quick, short "a" sound.
  • Emphasis: There's a slight emphasis on the first syllable ("with").

Resources for Hearing It:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, would you like me to:

  • Practice saying a phrase that includes “withdrawn”?
  • Focus on just the ‘th’ sound?

Usage and examples with the word withdrawn in English

Let's break down how to use the word "withdrawn" in English. It's a versatile word with several related meanings, primarily describing behavior and emotional states.

1. As an Adjective (Describing a Person):

This is the most common usage. "Withdrawn" describes someone who keeps to themselves and doesn't easily engage with others.

  • Meaning: Not wanting to communicate or interact with others; aloof; shy; reserved; distant.
  • Examples:
    • "After the loss of his job, he became very withdrawn and stopped going out." (He pulled back from social life.)
    • "She’s a naturally withdrawn person, so it takes time for her to open up to new people." (She's inherently quiet and doesn't readily share her feelings.)
    • "The withdrawn teenager spent most of her time reading in her room." (She avoided interaction.)
    • "He seemed withdrawn during the meeting, not participating in the discussion." (He was unresponsive and unengaged.)

2. As a Verb (Describing an Action):

Here, “withdrawn” means to remove oneself from a situation, typically emotionally or mentally.

  • Meaning: To retreat from contact or involvement; to become less active or engaged.
  • Examples:
    • "He withdrew from the party after an argument." (He left the party, emotionally and physically.)
    • "She withdrew her offer to help because she was feeling overwhelmed." (She declined the offer, pulling back her support.)
    • “The company withdrew its advertising campaign due to the controversy.”(They stopped the campaign.)

3. Related Concepts & Nuances:

  • Withdrawn from society: This phrase indicates someone who is completely detached from social life and activities.
  • Withdrawn emotionally: This specifically refers to someone who avoids expressing their feelings.
  • Don't be withdrawn! – This is an encouragement to be more sociable or engaging.

Synonyms:

Here are some words that can often be used interchangeably with "withdrawn," depending on the specific context:

  • Shy
  • Reserved
  • Introverted
  • Aloof
  • Isolated
  • Reclusive
  • Quiet
  • Detached

Tips for Using It Effectively:

  • Context is key: Pay attention to the situation to determine the precise nuance of “withdrawn.” Is it about a lack of social interaction, emotional unavailability, or a deliberate retreat?
  • Show, don't just tell: Instead of saying "He was withdrawn," you might describe how he acted: "He avoided eye contact and didn’t respond to questions."

Could you give me an example sentence you'd like me to analyze, or perhaps a scenario you're trying to describe, so I can help you use "withdrawn" more precisely? For example, are you trying to describe a character in a story or explain someone's behavior to a friend?

Synonyms for the word withdrawn

Practice with vocabulary withdrawn

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Following the sudden departure of her mentor, the usually outgoing intern became noticeably ______ during team meetings.
  2. The company ______ its product line from several retail stores after a defect was discovered in the manufacturing process.
  3. Due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, the CEO remained ______ when questioned by reporters about the details of the merger.
  4. The large sum of money was ______ from the investment account, causing a significant shift in the company's liquid assets.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers)

  1. After the restructuring, several employees became ______ and less engaged in team activities. a) sociable b) extroverted c) introverted d) withdrawn e) gregarious

  2. The board decided to ______ their previous statement after new evidence emerged. a) confirm b) retract c) revoke d) uphold e) cancel

  3. The research team found it challenging to communicate with the subject, who was generally ______ and quiet. a) articulate b) eloquent c) garrulous d) taciturn e) reticent

  4. Due to financial difficulties, the grant application was ______ before the final submission deadline. a) deposited b) submitted c) withdrawn d) funded e) processed

  5. After the personal tragedy, she became quite ______ and preferred to spend time alone rather than attending social events. a) engaged b) participating c) isolated d) secluded e) withdrawn

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. After the project failed, the manager started to avoid conversations with colleagues and stayed in his office more often. (Rewrite the sentence using "withdrawn" or a related word form.)

  2. The university decided to cancel the scholarship offer to the student due to new information regarding their academic record. (Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word for "cancel the offer" but do not use "withdrawn".)

  3. Her quiet and reserved nature often made her seem shy to new acquaintances. (Rewrite the sentence using "withdrawn" or a related word form.)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Following the sudden departure of her mentor, the usually outgoing intern became noticeably withdrawn during team meetings.
  2. The company recalled its product line from several retail stores after a defect was discovered in the manufacturing process.
  3. Due to the sensitive nature of the negotiations, the CEO remained hesitant when questioned by reporters about the details of the merger.
  4. The large sum of money was withdrawn from the investment account, causing a significant shift in the company's liquid assets.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. After the restructuring, several employees became c) introverted, d) withdrawn and less engaged in team activities.
  2. The board decided to b) retract, c) revoke, e) cancel their previous statement after new evidence emerged.
  3. The research team found it challenging to communicate with the subject, who was generally d) taciturn, e) reticent and quiet.
  4. Due to financial difficulties, the grant application was c) withdrawn before the final submission deadline.
  5. After the personal tragedy, she became quite c) isolated, d) secluded, e) withdrawn and preferred to spend time alone rather than attending social events.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. After the project failed, the manager became more withdrawn, avoiding conversations with colleagues and staying in his office more often.
  2. The university decided to rescind the scholarship offer to the student due to new information regarding their academic record.
  3. Her withdrawn and reserved nature often made her seem shy to new acquaintances.

Comment ()