as in withdrew
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
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as in revoked
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Recent Examples of retracted
New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025
In 2021, Sala's work came under scrutiny for a retracted study that used flawed data.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The threat of retracted benefits, too, is a sticking point.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
Many local affiliates declined to air last night’s show, even though Kimmel retracted his earlier remarks.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
The study was later discredited and retracted but doubts about the MMR vaccine have persisted.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
As buyers retracted to the sidelines of the market among sky-high home prices and elevated mortgage rates in recent months, Lennar slashed prices and offered all types of incentives to close a deal, to the point where prices for its homes are now 22 percent below their post-pandemic peak.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Kaufman later retracted this disqualification request.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
This myth stems from a 1998 article by Andrew Wakefield that the journal Lancet retracted in 2010 but nonetheless continues to be popular among vaccine skeptics.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
The landing gear and flaps were both found retracted, the report said.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
The space can seat up to 3,000 guests when the seats are fully retracted on the first level and 2,500 with reserved seating.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Verb
Nonetheless, the global ACV market is now valued at more than US$1 billion (2023-2024) and continues to grow – something that one retracted study is unlikely to impact.
—New Atlas, 24 Sep. 2025
In 2021, Sala's work came under scrutiny for a retracted study that used flawed data.
—Elisabeth Brier, Forbes.com, 18 Sep. 2025
The threat of retracted benefits, too, is a sticking point.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
It’s been weeks since Kate Middleton debuted her new blonde look and quickly retracted it, but friends of the Princess of Wales are coming to her defense.
—Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 27 Sep. 2025
Many local affiliates declined to air last night’s show, even though Kimmel retracted his earlier remarks.
—Diane Brady, Fortune, 24 Sep. 2025
The study was later discredited and retracted but doubts about the MMR vaccine have persisted.
—Stephanie Innes, AZCentral.com, 23 Sep. 2025
As buyers retracted to the sidelines of the market among sky-high home prices and elevated mortgage rates in recent months, Lennar slashed prices and offered all types of incentives to close a deal, to the point where prices for its homes are now 22 percent below their post-pandemic peak.
—Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 23 Sep. 2025
Kaufman later retracted this disqualification request.
—Chad De Guzman, Time, 23 Sep. 2025
This myth stems from a 1998 article by Andrew Wakefield that the journal Lancet retracted in 2010 but nonetheless continues to be popular among vaccine skeptics.
—Erin Mansfield, USA Today, 22 Sep. 2025
The landing gear and flaps were both found retracted, the report said.
—Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 20 Sep. 2025
The space can seat up to 3,000 guests when the seats are fully retracted on the first level and 2,500 with reserved seating.
—Charlie Vargas, Oc Register, 19 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracted
Verb
-
After President Joe Biden withdrew his reelection campaign yesterday, the endorsements have been rolling in for Vice President Kamala Harris to be selected as the Democratic nominee for the upcoming election.—
Anna Tingley,
Variety,
6 Oct. 2025
-
While the Dartmouth players withdrew their unionization petition after the 2024 presidential election, their success could inspire similar efforts at other schools.—
Michael McCann,
Sportico.com,
4 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring Taipei under its control.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The withheld funding supports election monitoring, independent media and other pro-democracy programs abroad.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Country music artist Morgan Wallen initially denied throwing a chair off the roof of Nashville bar Chief’s in 2024, according to police video footage obtained by The Associated Press.—
Jessica Nicholson,
Billboard,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Combs remains behind bars, having been denied bail prior to sentencing.—
Liam Quinn,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Too long submerged in suppressed grief, Zilpha now came up from its depth like any swimmer stroking toward light and sweet air.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
His remarks contradicted assurances from agency officials that mass firings were not permitted under law.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The result was his second masterpiece, Philosophical Investigations, published after his death in 1953 — a book that flatly contradicted the Tractatus.—
Shai Tubali,
Big Think,
30 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
These findings refuted longstanding preconceived beliefs about humans and animals.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The appellate court's decision refuted multiple issues with Avery's arguments.—
Kelli Arseneau,
jsonline.com,
1 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracted. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
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