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)

   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

Other Word Forms

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

Despite the escalating diplomatic spat, Takaichi has since indicated she has no intention of retracting her statement and insisted it was consistent with Tokyo's long-standing policy.

Read more on Barron's

Beijing called on Takaichi to retract her remarks, which she hasn’t done.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

On Tuesday, Takaichi declined to retract her remarks, which she defended as "consistent with the government's traditional position".

Read more on BBC

Kurashov initially pleaded guilty but later retracted, saying he had only done so to expedite the trial in the hope that he would be released in a prisoner swap.

Read more on BBC

His published research helped prompt a journal to retract a paper that incorrectly suggested an ancient city in Jordan was destroyed by a Tunguska-scale airburst.

Read more on Science Daily

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