retraction

American  

[ri-trak-shuhn] / rɪˈtræk ʃən /

noun

1. the act of retracting retract or the state of being retracted. retract.

2. withdrawal of a promise, statement, opinion, etc..

   His retraction of the libel came too late.

3. retractile power.

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Usage

What is a retraction? Retraction is the withdrawal of a statement or promise, such as in a news story. When a news outlet gets facts wrong in a story, they publish a retraction that states what facts were wrong and what the correct facts are.In general, retraction is the act of pulling something back, such as the retraction of a payment (taking the payment back).Example: If this turns out to be true, we’ll have to issue a retraction about last week’s issue.

Other Word Forms

• nonretraction noun

Etymology

Origin of retraction

1350–1400; Middle English retraccioun < Latin retractiōn- (stem of retractiō ), equivalent to Latin retract ( us ) ( retract ¹ ) + -iōn- -ion

Example Sentences

Instead, its partial retraction is "rescued" by the rapid pace of early embryonic cell cycles.

From Science Daily

Beijing, which considers Taiwan issues a strictly internal matter, immediately demanded a retraction, but Takaichi defended her comments as a reflection of Japan’s longstanding—albeit usually unspoken—policy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Almost immediately after Takaichi's remarks, Beijing responded with a flurry of condemnation and demanded a retraction.

From BBC

The company declined to comment on the most recent retraction.

From Barron's

However, it does not appear that any formal retraction or correction to Ferguson’s initial statement was published in the media.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• annulment
• denial
• disavowal
• disclaimer
• repudiation
• reversal