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retract

verb
re·​tract | \ ri-ˈtrakt How to pronounce retract (audio) \
retracted; retracting; retracts

Definition of retract

transitive verb

1 : to draw back or in cats retract their claws
2a : take back, withdraw retract a confession
b : disavow

intransitive verb

1 : to draw or pull back
2 : to recant or disavow something
Other Words from retract Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about retract

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Other Words from retract

retractable \ ri-​ˈtrak-​tə-​bəl How to pronounce retractable (audio) \ adjective

Choose the Right Synonym for retract

abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief. abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath. abjured the errors of his former faith renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown. renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal. I cannot forswear my principles recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught. if they recant they will be spared retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation. the newspaper had to retract the story

recede, retreat, retract, back mean to move backward. recede implies a gradual withdrawing from a forward or high fixed point in time or space. the flood waters gradually receded retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached. retreating soldiers retract implies drawing back from an extended position. a cat retracting its claws back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion. backed off on the throttle

Examples of retract in a Sentence

A cat can retract its claws. The pilot retracted the plane's landing gear. The plane's landing gear failed to retract. Their college grants were retracted. They retracted the job offer.
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Recent Examples on the Web

 His admission came after a lawyer for Trump said the story was false and defamatory, and called on NBC News to apologize and retract it. — Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY, "Trump slams MSNBC host Lawrence O'Donnell over reporting 'totally inaccurate' story," 29 Aug. 2019 When threatened, the caterpillars can retract their legs and expand the front segments of their bodies to make a quick change from humble caterpillar into scary serpent. — Liz Langley, National Geographic, "Imitation crab? Meet 6 creatures that steal others’ looks," 7 Aug. 2019 The academic publisher, Taylor & Francis Group, confirmed that the article was peer-reviewed, but that editors retracted it after Boswell’s petition took off. — Sarah Wild, Quartz Africa, "How long-discredited “race science” research got published from two South African universities," 29 July 2019 But the Luzerne County child welfare agency director has told the superintendent the letter was a misrepresentation and demanded the district retract it. — Fox News, "School district that warned parents of foster care over unpaid lunch debt rejects offer to pay it off, CEO says," 24 July 2019 The arm retracted and injured her in July 2013, according to court documents. — Gabrielle Russon, orlandosentinel.com, "Universal settles lawsuit over 3-year-old’s injury at Jurassic Park attraction," 23 July 2019 The target does get investigated or fired; his article does get retracted from an academic journal. — The Economist, "“Academic mobbing” undermines open inquiry and destroys the soul of universities," 23 July 2019 Trump has withdrawn 63 nominees so far, doubling the 31 Obama retracted at this point in his first term, according to the nonpartisan Partnership for Public Service, which studies ways to improve government effectiveness. — Lolita C. Baldor, Fortune, "Iran Tensions Are Escalating—And the U.S. Doesn't Have a Permanent Defense Secretary," 21 June 2019 Yusupov landed the plane with no power in either engine, and the landing gear retracted. — Hannah Chubb, PEOPLE.com, "Hero Pilot Lands Plane in Corn Field After Bird Strike, Saving all 226 Passengers on Board," 16 Aug. 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'retract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of retract

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

History and Etymology for retract

Middle English, from Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere — more at retreat

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More Definitions for retract

retract

verb
How to pronounce retract (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of retract

: to pull (something) back into something larger that usually covers it
: to say that something you said or wrote is not true or correct
formal : to take back (something, such as an offer or promise)

See the full definition for retract in the English Language Learners Dictionary

retract

verb
re·​tract | \ ri-ˈtrakt How to pronounce retract (audio) \
retracted; retracting

Kids Definition of retract

1 : to pull back or in A cat can retract its claws.
2 : to take back (as an offer or statement) : withdraw

retract

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