Withdraw vs. Cancellation — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
Withdraw involves removing something from a place or participation, whereas cancellation refers to the act of making something null, void, or discontinuing it.
Difference Between Withdraw and Cancellation
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Withdraw typically means to take back or remove something from a specific place or situation, often involving physical or figurative movement. On the other hand, cancellation implies an action to nullify or declare something invalid, such as an event or agreement.
In financial contexts, to withdraw means to take money out of a bank account or financial institution. Whereas, cancellation in this context would involve stopping a payment or voiding a financial transaction.
When discussing actions or participation, withdraw might mean removing oneself from an activity or membership. In contrast, cancellation would mean that the activity or event itself is no longer going to take place.
In legal terms, withdrawal could refer to the retraction of a statement, offer, or claim. On the other hand, cancellation could refer to the termination of a legal contract or agreement.
Withdraw can also be used in a social context, such as withdrawing from a conversation or meeting, implying a personal decision to leave. Whereas cancellation is typically a decision that affects all participants, like cancelling a meeting or event.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Act of pulling something back or removing it
Act of making something null or void
Contexts
Banking, legal, social, educational
Events, agreements, services, operations
Consequences
Individual impact, recovery possible
Broad impact, often final
Involvement
Often individual decision
Can be a decision by one or many, or by circumstance
Control
Personal control over the action
May not always involve personal control
Compare with Definitions
Withdraw
To retract an offer or statement.
The candidate decided to withdraw his application.
Cancellation
To deactivate or discontinue a service.
They processed the cancellation of her cable subscription.
Withdraw
To leave a place or position.
He withdrew from the room after the argument.
Cancellation
To mark something so that it cannot be used again.
The postal service put a cancellation mark on the envelope.
Withdraw
To pull back or retreat.
The troops were ordered to withdraw to safer ground.
Cancellation
To annul or make void a contract or event.
The concert was subject to cancellation due to the storm.
Withdraw
To remove oneself from participation.
She withdrew from the competition due to an injury.
Cancellation
To stop the operation or activity of something.
Flight cancellations were announced after the volcanic eruption.
Withdraw
To take money out of a bank account.
She decided to withdraw $200 from her savings account for the trip.
Cancellation
To terminate an arrangement or plan.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the meeting's cancellation was inevitable.
Withdraw
Remove or take away (something) from a particular place or position
She prised open the lid and withdrew a slim diamond ring
Ruth withdrew her hand from his
Cancellation
The action of cancelling something
The project was threatened with cancellation by the government
The show is sold out, but check for cancellations
Withdraw
Leave or cause to leave a place or situation
UN forces withdrew from the province
Both countries agreed to withdraw their troops
Cancellation
The act or an instance of canceling.
Withdraw
Cease to take an addictive drug
For the cocaine user, it is possible to withdraw without medication
Cancellation
A mark or a perforation indicating canceling.
Withdraw
To take back or away; remove
Withdrew his hand from the cookie jar.
Cancellation
Something canceled, especially a released accommodation or an unfilled appointment.
Withdraw
To cause to leave or return
The government withdrew its diplomats from the capital.
Cancellation
The act, process, or result of cancelling; as, the cancellation of certain words in a contract, or of the contract itself.
Withdraw
To remove (money) from an account.
Cancellation
(mathematics) The operation of striking out common factors, e.g. in both the dividend and divisor.
Withdraw
To turn away (one's gaze, for example).
Cancellation
(philately) A postmark that marks a postage stamp so as to prevent its reuse.
Withdraw
To draw aside
Withdrew the curtain.
Cancellation
(legal) In United States intellectual property law, a proceeding in which an interested party seeks to cancel the registration of a trademark or patent.
Withdraw
To remove from consideration or participation
Withdrew her application.
Withdrew his son from the race.
Cancellation
(anatomy) The property of being cancellate.
Withdraw
To recall or retract
Withdrew the accusation.
Cancellation
The act, process, or result of canceling; as, the cansellation of certain words in a contract, or of the contract itself.
Withdraw
To move or draw back; retire
The lawyers withdrew to the judge's chambers.
Cancellation
The operation of striking out common factors, in both the dividend and divisor.
Withdraw
To leave or return, as from a military position.
Cancellation
The act of cancelling; calling off some arrangement
Withdraw
To remove oneself from active participation
Withdrew from the competition.
Cancellation
The speech act of revoking or annulling or making void
Withdraw
To become detached from social or emotional involvement
After the snubbing, he withdrew into a shell.
Withdraw
To recall or remove a motion from consideration in parliamentary procedure.
Withdraw
To discontinue the use of a drug or other substance, especially one that is addictive.
Withdraw
To react physiologically and mentally to this discontinuance, often while experiencing distressing symptoms.
Withdraw
(transitive)
Withdraw
To draw or pull (something) away or back from its original position or situation.
Withdraw
To take away or take back (something previously given or permitted); to remove, to retract.
Withdraw
To cause or help (someone) to stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to dry out.
Withdraw
To take (one's eyes) off something; to look away.
Withdraw
(figuratively)
Withdraw
To distract or divert (someone) from a course of action, a goal, etc.
Withdraw
To extract (money) from a bank account or other financial deposit.
Withdraw
(intransitive)
Withdraw
Chiefly followed by from: to leave a place, someone's presence, etc., to go to another room or place.
Withdraw
Chiefly followed by from: to stop taking part in some activity; also, to remove oneself from the company of others, from publicity, etc.
Withdraw
To stop talking to or interacting with other people and start thinking thoughts not related to what is happening.
Withdraw
To stop taking an addictive drug or substance; to undergo withdrawal.
Withdraw
An act of drawing back or removing; a removal, a withdrawal or withdrawing.
Withdraw
(law) withdraught
Withdraw
To take back or away, as what has been bestowed or enjoyed; to draw back; to cause to move away or retire; as, to withdraw aid, favor, capital, or the like.
Impossible it is that God should withdraw his presence from anything.
Withdraw
To take back; to recall or retract; as, to withdraw false charges.
Withdraw
To retire; to retreat; to quit a company or place; to go away; as, he withdrew from the company.
Withdraw
Pull back or move away or backward;
The enemy withdrew
The limo pulled away from the curb
Withdraw
Withdraw from active participation;
He retired from chess
Withdraw
Release from something that holds fast, connects, or entangles;
I want to disengage myself from his influence
Disengage the gears
Withdraw
Cause to be returned;
Recall the defective auto tires
The manufacturer tried to call back the spoilt yoghurt
Withdraw
Take back what one has said;
He swallowed his words
Withdraw
Keep away from others;
He sequestered himself in his study to write a book
Withdraw
Remove something concrete, as by lifting, pushing, taking off, etc. or remove something abstract;
Remove a threat
Remove a wrapper
Remove the dirty dishes from the table
Take the gun from your pocket
This machine withdraws heat from the environment
Withdraw
Break from a meeting or gathering;
We adjourned for lunch
The men retired to the library
Withdraw
Retire gracefully;
He bowed out when he realized he could no longer handle the demands of the chairmanship
Withdraw
Remove (a commodity) from (a supply source);
She drew $2,000 from the account
The doctors drew medical supplies from the hospital's emergency bank
Withdraw
Lose interest;
He retired from life when his wife died
Withdraw
Make a retreat from an earlier commitment or activity;
We'll have to crawfish out from meeting with him
He backed out of his earlier promise
The aggressive investment company pulled in its horns
Common Curiosities
Can a person cancel a meeting?
Yes, a person can cancel a meeting, meaning it will no longer occur as scheduled.
Can both withdraw and cancellation be used in financial contexts?
Yes, but withdraw usually refers to taking money out, while cancellation involves nullifying a transaction or payment.
What are the consequences of event cancellation?
It usually means the event will not take place, affecting all planned participants.
What is the primary difference between withdraw and cancellation?
Withdrawal typically involves pulling back or removing something, whereas cancellation refers to making something null or void.
How does withdrawal affect a bank account?
It reduces the account balance by the amount withdrawn.
What might prompt a cancellation?
Factors like adverse conditions, unmet conditions, or changes in plans.
What does it mean to withdraw from a course?
It means to officially drop the course after enrollment, often without a penalty if done early.
Are cancellations always planned?
Not necessarily; they can be sudden and unexpected, often due to external factors.
Is withdrawal always a voluntary action?
Typically yes, especially in contexts like banking or social engagements.
Can both terms be used interchangeably in legal contexts?
Not usually, as they imply different kinds of actions (retraction vs. termination).
What does it mean to withdraw a statement?
It means to publicly retract or disclaim a previously made statement.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
