as in withdrawing
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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Recent Examples of retracting
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a recall notice that the seat belts in certain Expedition and Lincoln vehicles may inadvertently lock, preventing the belt from retracting or extending.
—
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The Salton Sea has been retracting as the climate has become hotter, leaving behind pesticides and fertilizers in toxic dust from the multibillion-dollar local agricultural industry that blow through our communities, contributing to the asthma crisis facing our children.
—Daniela Flores, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
The Stärke’s Gen 2 retains all of this, down to the parking sensors and power-retracting soft top.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Swelling around your eyes may suggest an underactive thyroid, while retracting eyelids may signal an overactive thyroid.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 28 Apr. 2026
Self-retracting nozzles are the most hygienic.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The actress has no interest in retracting her comments.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Mary Cunningham, CBS News, 3 June 2026
The Salton Sea has been retracting as the climate has become hotter, leaving behind pesticides and fertilizers in toxic dust from the multibillion-dollar local agricultural industry that blow through our communities, contributing to the asthma crisis facing our children.
—Daniela Flores, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2026
The Stärke’s Gen 2 retains all of this, down to the parking sensors and power-retracting soft top.
—Peter Nelson, Robb Report, 27 May 2026
Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.
—Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
Swelling around your eyes may suggest an underactive thyroid, while retracting eyelids may signal an overactive thyroid.
—Brandi Jones, Health, 28 Apr. 2026
Self-retracting nozzles are the most hygienic.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 13 Apr. 2026
The ruthlessness of the producers cutting folk off mid-speech or retracting the microphone and upping the music volume was belittling to those on stage.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Mar. 2026
The actress has no interest in retracting her comments.
—Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracting
Verb
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There is no penalty for withdrawing funds after 65 for non-medical expenses, but the withdrawals will be taxable.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
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Israel’s military will continue to carry out operations in Lebanon for the time being and will not be withdrawing from the country, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday, despite the announcement of a new ceasefire.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
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Corbett, of Palatine, announced his independent candidacy days after renouncing the current state of the Republican Party and dropping his consulting business work with GOP contenders.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Why Designers Love Round Tables There's no denying that nostalgia is having a moment right now.—
Better Homes & Gardens,
Better Homes & Gardens,
5 June 2026
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There is no denying how important Manaea could be, though.—
Will Sammon,
New York Times,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracting. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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