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
This is largely due to a paper published in The Lancet medical journal in the 1990s that was later retracted after its data was found to be false and manipulated.
—
Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Markers These best-selling markers feature a cone tip that allows for both fine lines and broad strokes, and they can be retracted with a simple click, so there’s no need to hunt down missing caps.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The driver had a difficult time retracting the ramp and after several tries got it on the bus, but the bus would not start.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Engineers investigated an issue with one of the two arms holding the Falcon rocket to its support structure, which must retract before liftoff.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2025
Crayola Clicks Retractable Tip Markers These best-selling markers feature a cone tip that allows for both fine lines and broad strokes, and they can be retracted with a simple click, so there’s no need to hunt down missing caps.
—Mia Huelsbeck, People.com, 29 Mar. 2025
The driver had a difficult time retracting the ramp and after several tries got it on the bus, but the bus would not start.
—Chicago Tribune, 29 Mar. 2025
Engineers investigated an issue with one of the two arms holding the Falcon rocket to its support structure, which must retract before liftoff.
—Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract
Verb
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Rather than a gradual strengthening of local capacity as a way of reimagining how the global development industry operates, the Trump administration’s proposals simply withdraw federal support.—
Alexander Puutio,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
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American Airlines withdrew its 2025 earnings forecast on Thursday, citing growing economic uncertainty.—
Kate Marijolovic,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
24 Apr. 2025
Verb
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In this telling, the blood of Christian martyrs facing lions rather than renouncing their faith eventually transformed the Roman empire.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
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Eventually, in 2019, the Business Round Table realized that business based totally on the self-interest of short-term profits was untenable and officially renounced it.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Also, sources have pointed out that any major funding initiative using taxpayer dollars would contradict the administration’s rhetoric on trimming the fat from the federal budget and bringing down the national debt.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
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That involvement appears to contradict the Trump Organization's second-term ethics pledge, which permits foreign business deals but explicitly bars partnerships with foreign governments.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The state also was denied an emergency order to block Musk’s exercise of sweeping power over the federal budget.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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In January, Iverson was denied qualified immunity by a federal judge for the shooting.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
29 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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