retract

verb
UK: /rɪˈtrækt/
US: /rɪˈtrækt/

  1. To take something back or withdraw a statement.

    1. He had to retract his words.
    2. The newspaper had to retract the inaccurate story about the local politician.

  2. To pull something back in or inside.

    1. The cat can retract its claws.
    2. The plane's landing gear will retract after it takes off from the runway.

Synonyms

withdraw disavow repeal take back revoke abjure recant
retract intransitive-verb

  1. To draw or shrink back; recede.

    1. The snail will retract into its shell.
    2. As the tide went out, the water began to retract from the sandy beach.
retract transitive-verb

  1. To withdraw or take back (a statement, opinion, etc.).

    1. The editor asked him to retract his controversial article.
    2. She refused to retract her testimony, even under intense pressure from her peers.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "retract" in English means: To take something back or withdraw a statement., To pull something back in or inside..

The phonetic transcription of "retract" is /rɪˈtrækt/ in British English and /rɪˈtrækt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "retract": withdraw, disavow, repeal, take back, revoke, abjure, recant.

Example usage of "retract": "He had to retract his words.". More examples on the page.