Synonyms of retract

retract

verb

ri-ˈtrakt 

as in to withdraw

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 & Similar Words

• withdraw
• renounce
• contradict
• deny
• refute
• recant
• repeal
• abandon
• relinquish
• repudiate
• take back
• renege
• forswear
• abjure
• unsay
• disavow
• recall
• disclaim
• abnegate
• disown
• disprove
• revoke
• spurn
• negate
• forsake
• rebut
• controvert
• gainsay
• disagree (with)
• negative
• surrender
• dispute
• backtrack
• disallow
• give up
• back down
• bolt
• back off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• admit
• acknowledge
• claim
• assert
• declare
• adhere (to)
• affirm
• proclaim
• contend
• defend
• confirm
• support
• state
• accept
• endorse
• uphold
• back
• adopt
• profess
• avow
• vouch
• vow
• embrace
• espouse

Synonym Chooser

How is the word retract different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of retract are abjure, forswear, recant, and renounce. While all these words mean "to withdraw one's word or professed belief," retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

When would abjure be a good substitute for retract?

The words abjure and retract are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

In what contexts can forswear take the place of retract?

The meanings of forswear and retract largely overlap; however, forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

When might recant be a better fit than retract?

While in some cases nearly identical to retract, recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

When is renounce a more appropriate choice than retract?

The synonyms renounce and retract are sometimes interchangeable, but renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of retract

However, requests for comments, including about whether any legal action was being pursued against the school district, or Davis, or whether ISBE would retract previous statements — including accusations of misconduct — were declined. —Joseph States, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026

The results of one such trial, published in the European Journal of Pediatrics, were retracted in January after the authors identified several errors in their data. —Aria Bendix, NBC news, 10 Mar. 2026

Results from a handful of studies were middling — and then the largest study demonstrating its efficacy was retracted in January. —O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 10 Mar. 2026

The actress has no interest in retracting her comments. —Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026