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1. Dictionary

   re·tract

   /rəˈtrak(t)/

   verb

   • 1. draw back: "she retracted her hand as if she'd been burnt" Similar pull indraw inpull backsheatheput awayOpposite extend
   • ▪ (of an animal) draw (a part of itself) back into its body: "the cat retracted her claws" Similar pull indraw inpull backsheatheput awayOpposite extend
   • 2. withdraw (a statement or accusation) as untrue or unjustified: "he retracted his allegations" Similar take backwithdrawunsayrecantdisowndisavowdisclaimabjurerepudiaterenouncereverserevokerescindannulcancelgo back onbacktrack ondo a U-turn onrow back oneat one's wordsdo an about-turn onOpposite assertconfirm
   • ▪ withdraw or go back on (an undertaking): "the parish council was forced to retract a previous resolution"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin retract- ‘drawn back’, from the verb retrahere (from re- ‘back’ + trahere ‘drag’); the senses ‘withdraw (a statement’) and ‘go back on’ via Old French from retractare ‘reconsider’ (based on trahere ‘drag’).

   Derivatives

   • 1. retractive adjective

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • C

     3

   • T

     1

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retractRetract Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retract

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning, synonyms, and usage of the verb retract, which means to draw back or in, or to withdraw or take back something. See examples of retract in sentences and related words.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRETRACT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Retract means to take back an offer or statement, etc. or admit that a statement was false, or to pull something back or in. See the formal, American and Business English definitions, synonyms, related words and phrases, and examples of retract.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › retractRETRACT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retract

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   Retract definition: to draw back or in. See examples of RETRACT used in a sentence.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryRETRACT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   Retract means to take back an offer or statement, or to admit that something was false, or to pull something back or in. See how to use retract in different contexts and languages, with synonyms and related words.

6. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retractRetract - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retract

   Definitions of retract. verb. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure. “He retracted his earlier statements about his religion” synonyms: abjure, forswear, recant, resile. see more. verb. pull inward or towards a center. “The cat retracted his claws” synonyms: draw in. attract, draw, draw in, pull, pull in.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishRETRACT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   Learn the meaning and usage of the verb retract, which can mean to withdraw, to draw back, or to shrink. Find synonyms, pronunciation, grammar, and related words for retract.

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › retractRetract - definition of retract by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › retract

   • Cached

   Retract means to take back, draw in, or withdraw something. It can also refer to the movement of the tongue or the landing gear of an aircraft. See synonyms, usage, and pronunciation of retract.