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

---

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 retract¹

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

The union is asking the federal court to order the agency to retract its policy of reporting posts about Kirk and to terminate all investigations related to the posts.

From The Wall Street Journal

He occasionally checks AI-powered databases for clinical information, but he said he is careful to click on references, even if they are to medical journals, to make sure they weren’t retracted.

From The Wall Street Journal

“In a completely improper effort to exert undue pressure on Presley to retract her legitimate, truthful claims, Kruse and her co-conspirators have also sued Presley’s son, cousin, and assistant,” the statement continued.

From Los Angeles Times

Following the post, Dana-Farber sought to retract six studies and correct 31 other papers as part of a probe involving several of its researchers.

From The Wall Street Journal

The study had so many errors that Nature has now retracted it, but what an embarrassment.

From The Wall Street Journal

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