What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
secession
Example
The southern states seceded from the United States in 1861. [seceded: past tense]
Example
The secession of Catalonia from Spain has been a contentious issue in recent years. [secession: noun]
withdrawal
Example
She decided to withdraw from the competition due to injury. [withdraw: verb]
Example
The patient experienced withdrawal symptoms after stopping the medication. [withdrawal: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Withdrawal is more commonly used than secession in everyday language, as it has a wider range of applications and can be used in personal contexts. Secession is more specialized and is typically used in political or historical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between secession and withdrawal?
Both secession and withdrawal can be used in formal or informal contexts, depending on the situation and audience. However, secession may be more associated with formal or legal language due to its political implications.
