retract

¹

[ ri-trakt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to draw back or in:

   to retract fangs.

verb (used without object)

1. to draw back within itself or oneself, fold up, or the like, or to be capable of doing this:

   The blade retracts.

retract

²

[ ri-trakt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, especially formally or explicitly; take back.

   Synonyms: annul, nullify, abrogate, recant, renounce, deny

2. to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).

   Synonyms: annul, nullify, abrogate, recant, renounce, deny

verb (used without object)

1. to draw or shrink back.
2. to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.
3. to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.

retract

/ ˌriːtrækˈteɪʃən; rɪˈtrækt /

verb

1. tr to draw in (a part or appendage)

   to retract the landing gear of an aircraft

   a snail can retract its horns

2. to withdraw (a statement, opinion, charge, etc) as invalid or unjustified
3. to go back on (a promise or agreement)
4. intr to shrink back, as in fear
5. phonetics to modify the articulation of (a vowel) by bringing the tongue back away from the lips

Derived Forms

• reˈtractive, adjective
• reˌtractaˈbility, noun
• retractation, noun
• reˈtractable, adjective

Other Words From

• re·tracta·ble re·tracti·ble adjective
• re·tracta·bili·ty re·tracti·bili·ty noun
• re·trac·ta·tion [ree-trak-, tey, -sh, uh, n], noun
• unre·tracta·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of retract¹

1400–50; late Middle English retracten < Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere to draw back, equivalent to re- re- + tractus ( tract ¹ )

Origin of retract²

1535–45; < Latin retractāre to reconsider, withdraw, equivalent to re- re- + tractāre to drag, pull, take in hand (frequentative of trahere to pull)

Word History and Origins

Origin of retract¹

C16: from Latin retractāre to withdraw, from tractāre to pull, from trahere to drag

Example Sentences

Keatts, Lewis and Sara Libby had to scrap their first podcast recording Thursday when NBC 7 retracted its story.

From Voice of San Diego

In a statement Friday, Bry disavowed any responsibility for spreading misinformation by promoting the story while it was disputed but not yet retracted.

From Voice of San Diego

Once the plastic sticks, one for each sample, are retracted and sealed in a bag marked “biohazard,” the residents are hustled out of the facility.

From Fortune

Sri Lankan police retracted the mistake, but not before Majeed received death threats.

From Nautilus

In fairness to the candidates, though, the paper has not written or announced that it withdrew its support or retracted its view that, for example, Elliott should not be fired.

From Voice of San Diego

Although Mefferd later apologized for the method of her accusations, she did not retract the substance of the claims.

From The Daily Beast

I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.

From The Daily Beast

But when reporters asked him why he felt the need to retract the comment, he said, “So you all could stop asking me about it, OK?”

From The Daily Beast

His manager, agent, and close friends begged him to retract his statement.

From The Daily Beast

Editor Mark Whitaker stood by the article, but had to retract the detail about the Quran.

From The Daily Beast

I do not retract my word, Malcolm; but I am bound, by an early promise to my father, never to enter the doors of a gaming-house.

From Project Gutenberg

Then something that he had heard came back to him, and brought a sudden frown to his face, but it was too late to retract.

From Project Gutenberg

Some time afterward, turning an expressive look, he said again, "I retract that expression."

From Project Gutenberg

This tragedy is bad, and I do not retract a single word of what I have said about it; but the actress is admirable.

From Project Gutenberg

By such means it was not difficult to extort admissions which the prisoner was likely to retract at a subsequent time.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• back down
• back off
• cancel
• deny
• disavow
• disown
• pull back
• recant
• renege
• renounce
• repeal
• repudiate
• rescind
• reverse
• revoke
• rule out
• take back
• withdraw