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Synonyms

retract

1 American  
[ri-trakt] / rɪˈtrækt /

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 American  
[ri-trakt] / rɪˈtrækt /

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 British  
/ ˌriːtrækˈteɪʃən, rɪˈtrækt /

verb

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

    a snail can retract its horns

    to retract the landing gear of an aircraft

  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

"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

Other Word Forms

  • retractability noun
  • retractable adjective
  • retractation noun
  • retractibility noun
  • retractible adjective
  • retractive adjective
  • unretractable adjective

Etymology

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)

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So the department had to withdraw large portions of four different briefs filed in this case, retract multiple statements made at oral arguments, and ask Castel to correct his own opinion repeating this error.

From Slate • Mar. 27, 2026

“When confronted with her lie, she did not retract her statement, she doubled down,” the letter said.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

All of them have small core teams that expand and retract as projects demand.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

On Monday, a spokesman for China's foreign ministry again urged Japan to retract the comments.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

He quickly pushed the retract button and the door squealed, then started closing again.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.