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View synonyms for

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: , , , , ,
  2. to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).

    Synonyms: , , , , ,

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • retractable adjective
  • retractible adjective
  • retractability noun
  • retractibility noun
  • retractation noun
  • unretractable adjective
  • ˈٰٲ adjective
  • ˈٰپ adjective
  • ˌٰٲˈٲ noun
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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 ٰ to reconsider, withdraw, equivalent to re- re- + ٰ to drag, pull, take in hand (frequentative of trahere to pull)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of retract1

C16: from Latin ٰ to withdraw, from ٰ to pull, from trahere to drag
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Our debunk post was then picked up by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, who wrongly claimed that it showed the BBC had retracted its coverage of the aid centre killings.

From

Reports suggest these were retracted or otherwise removed shortly before the attacks began, allowing dozens of drones stored inside to take off.

From

She also claimed, wrongly, that the BBC had retracted a story.

From

Years later, prosecutors noted the retracted statement by the fellow student, as well as another person who said Nickerson confessed to killing Peterson when she confronted him for dealing drugs, but neither story was corroborated.

From

Weeks later, the minor retracted her earlier statements and withdrew her allegations, reports said.

From

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re-traceretractile