Definitions

retract

[ri-trakt] / rɪˈtrækt /

VERB

take back; renege on

Synonyms

STRONGEST

back down back off cancel deny disavow disown pull back recant renege renounce repeal repudiate rescind reverse revoke rule out take back withdraw

STRONG

abjure back countermand disclaim eliminate exclude forswear recall recede retreat retrograde sheathe suspend unsay unsend

WEAK

back out of call off change one's mind draw in eat one's words fall back forget it go back on have change of heart pull in reel in retrocede take in

Antonyms

STRONGEST

acknowledge admit agree allow approve enforce go forward permit sanction

STRONG

accept advance forge include welcome

WEAK

corroborate emphasize reaffirm repeat

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.

"Elmo had to retract his statement cause the city was like you a New Yorker."

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

“When confronted with her lie, she did not retract her statement, she doubled down,” the letter said.

From Salon • Feb. 25, 2026

“Tactics: get Fergie to retract; hold newspapers accountable; filing a formal complaint with the Press Complaints Commission.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 11, 2026

Takaichi has declined to retract her comments and was resoundingly rewarded for her show of strength by voters in the weekend’s national election in Japan.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

He quickly pushed the retract button and the door squealed, then started closing again.

From "The Kill Order (Maze Runner, Book Four; Origin)" by James Dashner

Vocabulary lists containing retract

Change Your Mind

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100 SAT words Beginning with "R"

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Henry David Thoreau "Civil Disobedience" (1849)

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