retract

[ ri-trakt ]

/ rɪˈtrækt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retract ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to draw back or in: to retract fangs.

verb (used without object)

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

Words related to retract

deny, repeal, revoke, reverse, renounce, repudiate, disavow, renege, withdraw, cancel, recant, disown, rescind, suspend, welsh, recall, abjure, recede, back, countermand

Words nearby retract

retort, retortion, retouch, retox, retrace, retract, retractile, retraction, retraction nystagmus, retractive, retractor

Origin of retract

1400–50; late Middle English retracten < Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere to draw back, equivalent to re- re- + tractus (see tract¹)

Definition for retract (2 of 2)

retract²

[ ri-trakt ]

/ rɪˈtrækt /

verb (used with object)

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

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

verb (used without object)

to draw or shrink back.

to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.

to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.

Origin of retract

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

SYNONYMS FOR retract

1, 2 deny, renounce, recant, abrogate, nullify, annul.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR retract ON THESAURUS.COM

OTHER WORDS FROM retract

re·tract·a·ble, re·tract·i·ble, adjectivere·tract·a·bil·i·ty, re·tract·i·bil·i·ty, nounre·trac·ta·tion

[ree-trak-tey-shuhn] /ˌri trækˈteɪ ʃən/, nounun·re·tract·a·ble, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for retract

Although Mefferd later apologized for the method of her accusations, she did not retract the substance of the claims.
Megachurch Star Mark Driscoll’s Publishing Downfall|Warren Throckmorton|June 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I cannot and I will not retract anything, since it is neither safe nor right to go against conscience.
The Invention of the Ego in Martin Luther’s Defiance|Thomas Cahill|November 3, 2013|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?”
Herman Cain Drops Out: Relive His Most Cringeworthy Moments|Sara Gilford|November 13, 2011|DAILY BEAST
His manager, agent, and close friends begged him to retract his statement.
Glee's New Villain|Itay Hod|September 20, 2010|DAILY BEAST

Editor Mark Whitaker stood by the article, but had to retract the detail about the Quran.
Newsweek's Greatest Hits|The Daily Beast|May 5, 2010|DAILY BEAST
The Reformer did not recoil, did not retract; but his judge, he who never ceased exclaiming, Retract!
History of the Reformation in the Sixteenth Century (Volume 1)|J. H. Merle D'Aubign
Sir, I make allowance for you; I retract my menace, and apologize.
Erema|R. D. Blackmore
It is not like me to retract a determination, but if you will say now what you did last night—'Do not go!'
Husks|Marion Harland
"Do not let him retract," cried Porbus, striking Poussin on the shoulder.
The Hidden Masterpiece|Honore de Balzac
Now Gertrude had builded upon the supposition that she was safe beyond the reach of recall, and she made haste to retract.
A Romance in Transit|Francis Lynde

British Dictionary definitions for retract

retract

/ (rɪˈtrækt) /

verb

(tr) to draw in (a part or appendage)a snail can retract its horns; to retract the landing gear of an aircraft

to withdraw (a statement, opinion, charge, etc) as invalid or unjustified

to go back on (a promise or agreement)

(intr) to shrink back, as in fear

phonetics to modify the articulation of (a vowel) by bringing the tongue back away from the lips

Derived forms of retract

retractable or retractible, adjectiveretractability or retractibility, nounretractation (ˌriːtrækˈteɪʃən), nounretractive, adjective

Word Origin for retract

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012