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
To create a tornado-like vortex, a bird would retract its head in a short burst of speed at nearly 16 inches per second.
—
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
In her announcement, Dhillon said the department would retract accusations made under the Biden administration that the departments violated either Floyd’s or Taylor’s constitutional rights.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Startling cell phone video shows a first responder on a ladder trying to help victims when the extended top half of the ladder appears to retract as the victim comes tumbling out of the widow.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
The Who's original announcement of Starkey's departure, which was later retracted, came in April following a round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 May 2025
In her announcement, Dhillon said the department would retract accusations made under the Biden administration that the departments violated either Floyd’s or Taylor’s constitutional rights.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 May 2025
Startling cell phone video shows a first responder on a ladder trying to help victims when the extended top half of the ladder appears to retract as the victim comes tumbling out of the widow.
—Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
The Who's original announcement of Starkey's departure, which was later retracted, came in April following a round of shows at the Royal Albert Hall.
—Jack Irvin, People.com, 19 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract
Verb
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After launching a proxy fight for two board seats, this campaign came to a head when Engine withdrew their director nominations on May 8.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
31 May 2025
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Greenwood never played for his boyhood club again, despite the charges being dropped in February 2023 when the prosecution’s main witness withdrew her cooperation.—
Matt Slater,
New York Times,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The measure shows how Florida’s flagship institution is formalizing political expectations for Ono, who conservative critics have renounced as a left-wing opportunist feigning opposition to DEI to appease the state’s Republican base.—
Garrett Shanley,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 June 2025
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Yes, but once you are naturalized, you are considered fully Argentine in the eyes of the law, and citizenship cannot be renounced.—
Laura Begley Bloom,
Forbes.com,
31 May 2025
Verb
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Reversing the recommendation for vaccinating healthy pregnant women thus contradicts the new framework described by the FDA.—
Libby Richards,
The Conversation,
29 May 2025
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Some of the video footage appeared to contradict Kemp's account of the events in question.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
27 May 2025
Verb
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The university in January 2024 denied Tucker’s appeal of the findings.—
Kenny Jacoby,
USA Today,
4 June 2025
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According to officers, the man acknowledged engaging in lewd behavior and taking photos of children but denied touching anyone.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
4 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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