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
Moreover, the patches of skin behind the upper arms and on the trunk reveal that the reptile had powerful muscles for retracting its forelimbs.
—
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Perhaps that’s why his administration keeps dangling — and then retracting — the prospect of special exceptions for undocumented immigrants who work in certain sectors.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Well, then it’s being stolen right out from under its retracting proboscis, which is actually just another drooling head that lives in its mouth.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Pressure campaigns have even led to traditional media outlets retracting previously positive reviews, further harming book sales and author reputations.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
APPs excel in positioning patients, opening surgical sites, retracting tissues, and closing incisions.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Roberts still acknowledged this all becomes more of a conversation if the Dodgers can get closer to full strength, anyway, before retracting some of his pointed criticism of Hernández from Monday night and doubling down on his belief Hernández can improve his range.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 29 Sep. 2025
Perhaps that’s why his administration keeps dangling — and then retracting — the prospect of special exceptions for undocumented immigrants who work in certain sectors.
—Patricia Lopez, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025
Well, then it’s being stolen right out from under its retracting proboscis, which is actually just another drooling head that lives in its mouth.
—Brian Moylan, Vulture, 22 Sep. 2025
Pressure campaigns have even led to traditional media outlets retracting previously positive reviews, further harming book sales and author reputations.
—Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 2 Sep. 2025
APPs excel in positioning patients, opening surgical sites, retracting tissues, and closing incisions.
—Richard Menger Md Mpa, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2025
Roberts still acknowledged this all becomes more of a conversation if the Dodgers can get closer to full strength, anyway, before retracting some of his pointed criticism of Hernández from Monday night and doubling down on his belief Hernández can improve his range.
—Fabian Ardaya, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracting
Verb
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Israeli troops still occupy Gaza and won't be withdrawing until Hamas disarms.—
NPR,
NPR,
14 Oct. 2025
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Other users in the comments suggested the bride look into the legal aspect of the makeup artist withdrawing on such short notice and effectively breaching the contract between them.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Even worse, Park and his conservative successors had been bolstered by the very imperial forces from which the South Koreans had hoped to escape, in exchange for renouncing their right to forgive and to hold Japan accountable.—
Eun A Jo,
Foreign Affairs,
23 Nov. 2022
Verb
-
Turning to a zone defense in the second half of Game 1 suffocated Phoenix’s offense, denying Alyssa Thomas the middle of the floor and turning the tide of the game.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
11 Oct. 2025
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But there’s no denying that Wednesday’s exhibition was a special night for Jakucionis.—
Anthony Chiang,
Miami Herald,
11 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracting. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.
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