retract

re·tract

verb \ri-ˈtrakt\

Definition of RETRACT

transitive verb

1

: to draw back or in <cats retract their claws>

2

a : take back, withdraw <retract a confession>

b : disavow

intransitive verb

1

: to draw or pull back

2

: to recant or disavow something

— re·tract·able \-ˈtrak-tə-bəl\ adjective

Examples of RETRACT

1. A cat can retract its claws.
2. The pilot retracted the plane's landing gear.
3. The plane's landing gear failed to retract.
4. Their college grants were retracted.
5. They retracted the job offer.

Origin of RETRACT

Middle English, from Latin retractus, past participle of retrahere — more at retreat

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to RETRACT

Synonyms

abnegate, forswear (also foreswear), recant, renege, renounce, repeal, repudiate, abjure, take back, unsay, withdraw

Antonyms

adhere (to)

Related Words

contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, gainsay, negate, negative; abandon, bolt, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender; controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute; back down, back off, backtrack; disallow, recall, revoke

Near Antonyms

acknowledge, admit, affirm, assert, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, proclaim, profess, state, vouch, vow; back, confirm, defend, endorse (also indorse), espouse, maintain, support, uphold; accept, adopt, embrace

See Synonym Discussion at abjure, recede

Rhymes with RETRACT

abstract, attract, class act, compact, contact, contract, crookbacked, detract, didact, diffract, distract, enact, entr'acte, epact, exact, extract, humpbacked, hunchbacked, impact, infract, intact, mossbacked, playact, protract, react, redact, refract, sex act, subtract, swaybacked, transact, unbacked

re·tract

transitive verb \ri-ˈtrakt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of RETRACT

: to draw back or in <retract the lower jaw>—compare protract

intransitive verb

: to draw something (as tissue) back or in; also : to use a retractor