retract

¹ American  

[ri-trakt] / rɪˈtrækt /

verb (used with object)

1. to draw back or in.

   to retract fangs.

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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

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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  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

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

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Etymology

Origin of retract¹

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

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Explanation

Have you ever said something you wish you could retract, or take back? You're not alone. Even newspapers and magazines have sections where the editors can retract something written that was incorrect. The sense of the word retract meaning to draw back or withdraw comes from the mid-16th century, and its meaning was clear when Napoleon Bonaparte said, "In politics...never retreat, never retract...never admit a mistake." Still, sometimes you wish you could retract something you said or did. Cats can retract their claws, and some snakes can retract their fangs, but words spoken in anger can never be fully retracted, or taken back.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retract

Rios first claimed that Peltola knew about the gimmick before trying to retract her comments.

From Slate ● Oct. 28, 2026

Rios, who was fired in August and had been planning a wrongful termination lawsuit, later sought to retract her statements.

From Barron's ● Oct. 28, 2026

One major firm in this space issued warnings saying hackers had a working PoC - only to have to retract it.

From BBC ● Oct. 23, 2026

Some have fixed coverings that retract; others, often called “moonroofs,” are single pieces of glass.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Listening to their plans, Ashima had felt a moment’s panic, a protective instinct, wanting to retract her offer, wanting the house to remain as it’s always been, as her husband had last seen it.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

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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

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