as in to withdraw
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
the newspaper was forced to retract the story, which turned out to be based on fabricated reporting
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Recent Examples of retract
In 2017, Jason Chaffetz, the former Utah representative, retracted a disposal bill after a backlash.
—
Abe Streep, ProPublica, 8 July 2025
Claim 2: Vaccines Cause Autism The belief that vaccines cause autism originated from a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which was later retracted due to fraud and ethical violations.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Although the stock has retracted in early 2025, currently down around 55% from its 52-week peak of $25, several factors could propel it back to its former highs, indicating a possible doubling from today’s levels.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The camera pans across the stage as the screen retracts and Captain Lewis emerges from shadow.
—Noah Hawley, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Abe Streep, ProPublica, 8 July 2025
Claim 2: Vaccines Cause Autism The belief that vaccines cause autism originated from a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which was later retracted due to fraud and ethical violations.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Although the stock has retracted in early 2025, currently down around 55% from its 52-week peak of $25, several factors could propel it back to its former highs, indicating a possible doubling from today’s levels.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The camera pans across the stage as the screen retracts and Captain Lewis emerges from shadow.
—Noah Hawley, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract
Verb
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Topline Half of the roughly 4,000 National Guard troops deployed to Los Angeles last month amid immigration raid protests will be withdrawn, the Trump administration announced Tuesday, calling off the soldiers weeks after California Gov. Gavin Newsom unsuccessfully tried to block their deployment.—
Antonio Pequeño IV,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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Stanley said crews were initially able to fight the fire near a chlorine leak at a water treatment facility, but eventually had to withdraw due to safety concerns for pilots who could breathe toxic fumes.—
Rey Covarrubias Jr,
AZCentral.com,
15 July 2025
Verb
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Crucially, the tax law defines the expatriation date for various classes of cases, such as those who renounce U.S. citizenship, or give up long term residency.—
Virginia La Torre Jeker,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
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In this entertaining sequel, Lois learns Clark's identity, prompting him to renounce his Kryptonian superpowers — a process that, as his late mom (Susannah York) repeatedly tells him, is irreversible.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
10 July 2025
Verb
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But the President seemed to contradict the Justice Department memo that suggested there were no more files to be disclosed, instead claiming that there are files but that they were written by his rival predecessors and would only serve as a distraction.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
14 July 2025
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But that has contradicted the administration’s own advisories regarding U.S. citizens visiting those countries.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Verb
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Thompson didn’t deny the rumors and hard launched their relationship with a post of his own featuring Megan to his IG, recapping their Bahamas trip.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
22 July 2025
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But Iran denies any such ambition to build a nuclear bomb, and accuses Israel of being the main aggressor in the region.—
Shane Croucher,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.
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