retraction
noun
re·trac·tion
ri-ˈtrak-shən 
1
: an act of recanting
specifically
: a statement made by one retracting
2
: an act of retracting : the state of being retracted
3
: the ability to retract
Examples of retraction in a Sentence
His charges were false, and he was forced to make a retraction.
the retraction of the plane's landing gear
Recent Examples on the Web
Later retractions or corrections are quiet and unnoticed.
—
Philip Maymin, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
The governor’s lawyers sent Fox News a letter demanding a formal retraction and an on-air apology from Watters and said that if the network complies, the governor would drop the suit.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 July 2025
The executive order also cites a growing number of publication retractions.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
The suit asks for $787 million — the amount Fox paid Dominion Voting Systems to settle its defamation case over false statements — if Newsom doesn’t get a retraction and on-air apology from host Jesse Watters who presented the segment on the calls.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retraction
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Philip Maymin, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2025
The governor’s lawyers sent Fox News a letter demanding a formal retraction and an on-air apology from Watters and said that if the network complies, the governor would drop the suit.
—Todd Spangler, Variety, 18 July 2025
The executive order also cites a growing number of publication retractions.
—Sheldon H. Jacobson, Twin Cities, 10 July 2025
The suit asks for $787 million — the amount Fox paid Dominion Voting Systems to settle its defamation case over false statements — if Newsom doesn’t get a retraction and on-air apology from host Jesse Watters who presented the segment on the calls.
—Stephen Battaglio, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retraction
Cite this Entry
“Retraction.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retraction. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
retraction
noun
re·trac·tion
ri-ˈtrak-shən
1
: a statement taking back something previously said
2
: an act of retracting : the state of being retracted
3
: the ability to retract
Medical Definition
retraction
noun
re·trac·tion
ri-ˈtrak-shən
: an act or instance of retracting
specifically
: backward or inward movement of an organ or part
retraction of the nipple or skin overlying the tumor —The Journal of the American Medical Association
The Journal of the American Medical Association Legal Definition
retraction
noun
re·trac·tion
ri-ˈtrak-shən
: an act of taking back or withdrawing
retraction of a confession
her retraction of the defamatory statement
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