retract
1 Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
-
to draw or shrink back.
-
to withdraw a promise, vow, etc.
-
to make a disavowal of a statement, opinion, etc.; recant.
verb
-
(tr) to draw in (a part or appendage)
a snail can retract its horns
to retract the landing gear of an aircraft
-
to withdraw (a statement, opinion, charge, etc) as invalid or unjustified
-
to go back on (a promise or agreement)
-
(intr) to shrink back, as in fear
-
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 retract2
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
After a truth-telling lecture tour failed to attract much of an audience, Maggie retracted her confession: “I gave expression to utterances that had no foundation in fact.”
From Literature
“When confronted with her lie, she did not retract her statement, she doubled down,” the letter said.
From Salon
After about a month, the other family retracted their offer.
From BBC
The company’s stock is down 39% this year despite a 12% rise since February 13, following a retracted “laundering machine” claim.
From Barron's
The company’s stock is down 39% this year despite a 12% rise since February 13, following a retracted “laundering machine” claim.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
