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retract

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of retract

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
Synonyms of retract

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

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 of retract

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
Antonyms of retract

adhere (to)

Synonym Discussion of retract

abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief. abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.
    • abjured the errors of his former faith
renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.
    • renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting
forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.
    • I cannot forswear my principles
recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.
    • if they recant they will be spared
retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.
    • the newspaper had to retract the story

Learn More about retract

  1. See words that rhyme with retract Dictionary: Definition of retract Medical Dictionary: Definition of retract Spanish Central: Translation of retract Nglish: Translation of retract for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of retract for Arabic speakers

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