Withdraw vs Withdrawal: Difference and Comparison

What is the difference between withdraw and withdrawal (withdraw vs withdrawal)?

Although these two words sound very similar, there is a slight difference in meaning if you look them up in the English dictionary. Both terms are commonly used in finance and have different meanings.

The English dictionary defines withdrawal as ‘receiving from someone’s care what one has entrusted to them’. And it usually refers to money.

The English dictionary also defines withdraw as to pull, to take back (i.e. a comment), to remove, to retreat, or to extract money from an account.

Generally, there is a slight pronunciation difference between withdraw and withdrawal and how they are used in sentences. In this article, we will be looking at the differences between withdraw and withdrawal and how that can be used in sentences.

Definition of Withdraw

The terms withdraw and withdrawal come from the Middle English origin.

According to the English dictionary, the word ‘withdraw’ means to pull (something) back, aside, or away. It means to take back, to remove, to stop providing, to be in withdrawal from an addictive drug, to retreat, or to extract (money from a bank account).

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Meaning of Withdraw: To Remove

Withdraw is commonly used during conversations relating to finance. In that context, withdraw means to extract money from a bank account.

The word ‘withdraw’ can be used as a transitive verb (the action transfer to a direct object) and as an intransitive verb (the action do not transfer to a direct object).

Using Withdraw as a Transitive Verb

When you use withdraw as a transitive verb, it simply means that you are withdrawing an item. Let’s look at a few sentences where the term ‘withdraw, is used as a transitive verb.

Johansson withdraws $200 from his bank account every two weeks.
The president decided to withdraw 3,000 troops from the ongoing war.
Janet should withdraw her application if she has no intention to accept the job.

Using Withdraw as an Intransitive Verb

Also, we can use withdraw without a direct object. Here, the subject is withdrawing from a situation.

For example:

Andrew signed up for the wrong class, so he has to withdraw.
The troops in the enemy territory need to withdraw.
Anthony is very shy around new people and he tends to withdraw.

How to use withdraw in a sentence

Here are a few sentences with the word withdraw.

Joan withdrew $300 from her checking account (withdrew- simple past of withdraw).
The prosecution withdrew his question to the witness.
Henry withdrew just before I could nominate him.

Definition of Withdrawal: (withdraw vs withdrawal)

According to the English dictionary, withdrawal is “receiving from someone’s care what one has earlier entrusted to them’.

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines withdrawal as “the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed”. Withdrawal refers to the removal from place of a deposit or investment.

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Meaning of Withdrawal: Something you have removed

When you withdraw an item, the item you withdrew is referred to as a withdrawal. The word ‘withdrawal’ and ‘withdraw’ are pronounced the same way but ‘withdrawal’ has an “l” at the end (with-DRAWAL).

Withdrawal is a noun that can be the direct object or subject in a sentence.

How to use withdrawal as the subject

Here is how to use withdrawal as the subject of a sentence.

The troop’s withdrawal is the biggest story of the day.
Today’s withdrawal will help to pay some of our bills.
Withdrawal from prescribed drugs may cause people to feel sick.

How to use withdrawal as the object of a preposition

Withdrawal can be used as the object of a preposition within a prepositional phrase.

For example;

I paid for the vintage car with a large withdrawal from my bank account.
The protesters decided to call for a withdrawal from the conflict.

How to use withdrawal as the object

Withdrawal can function as the object of other transitive verbs.

For example;

You will likely experience a physical withdrawal once you stop taking your prescription.
Can I make a withdrawal after depositing this check?
Mr. Joe announced his withdrawal from the election.

How to use withdrawal in a sentence

Here are a few sentences with the word ‘withdrawal’.

Kelvin made a withdrawal from his checking account.
She underwent rehab to help her through her withdrawal from alcohol.
Andre experienced symptoms of nicotine withdrawal after he stopped smoking.
The president authorized the withdrawal of troops from the war.

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Withdraw vs Withdrawal: The Meaning of Withdrawal in Finance

In finance, withdrawal means removing funds from a bank account, pension, trust or savings plan.

Sometimes certain conditions must be satisfied in order to withdraw funds without a penalty. There is a penalty for an early withdrawal which usually becomes an issue when a clause in an investment contract is broken.

How a Withdrawal Works

According to Investopedia.com, a withdrawal can be carried out over a certain period of time in fixed or variable amounts.

A cash withdrawal involves converting the holding of an account, pension or trust into physical cash. An in-kind withdrawal on the other hand involves taking possession of assets which will not be converted into cash.

Withdraw vs Withdrawal: Key Difference

	Merriam-Webster dictionary defines withdrawal as “the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed”. Withdrawal refers to the removal from place of a deposit or investment.	Withdrawal
Definition	The terms withdraw and withdrawal come from the Middle English origin. According to the English dictionary, the word ‘withdraw’ means to pull (something) back, aside, or away. It means to take back, to remove, to stop providing, to be in withdrawal from an addictive drug, to retreat, or to extract (money from a bank account).	Merriam Webster dictionary defines withdrawal as “the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed”. Withdrawal refers to the removal from place of a deposit or investment.
Key Difference	Withdraw is a verb that sets the action in motion.	Withdrawal is a noun that represents the action or result of withdrawing.
In financial context	A person may withdraw cash from their checking amount.	A person may refer to a ‘withdrawal slip’ used at the bank.
	Withdraw sets the action in motion.	Withdrawal describes the state or outcome of that action.
Sentences	Johansson withdraws $200 from his bank account every two weeks	The troop’s withdrawal is the biggest story of the day

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Meaning of Withdrawal: Medical Definition

In a medical context, withdrawal is the discontinuation of the use and administration of an addictive substance. Withdrawal symptoms include tremors, headache, and diarrhoea.

Conclusion

Withdraw and withdrawal sound very similar, but there is a slight difference in their meaning.

According to the English dictionary, the word ‘withdraw’ means to pull (something) back, aside, or away, while withdrawal is defined as “the act of taking back or away something that has been granted or possessed”.

While withdrawal describes the outcome of an action, withdraw sets the action in motion.

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References

Checkenglishword: Withdraw vs Withdrawal – What is the Difference in Meaning?
Yourdictionary: Withdraw vs. Withdrawal: Removing the Confusion
Thecontentauthority: Withdraw Vs Withdrawal, When To Use Each One In Writing?
Investopedia: Withdrawal: Definition in Banking, How It Works, and Rules
Dictionary.com: withdrawal

Withdraw vs Withdrawal: Difference and Comparison