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
School public safety had initially reported that a suspect had been taken into custody before retracting that statement.
—
Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
This series of exemptions is part of EPA’s suite of PFAS de-regulation that includes approving PFAS-laden pesticides and retracting some of its maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) that were the result of years of careful research and policymaking.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
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
Kierra Frazier, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025
This series of exemptions is part of EPA’s suite of PFAS de-regulation that includes approving PFAS-laden pesticides and retracting some of its maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) that were the result of years of careful research and policymaking.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 Nov. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracting
Verb
-
Uhlaender accused the Canadian team and its coach, Joe Cecchini, of intentionally withdrawing the athletes, deliberately manipulating the field to benefit one of their own sliders’ bids for qualification.—
Don Riddell,
CNN Money,
26 Jan. 2026
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In so doing, avoid withdrawing NATO’s commitment to defend NATO member states’ remote, former (and, in the case of Cyprus, coincidentally insular) colonial territories was thus established as a norm for the alliance, not an exception – one that is newly relevant once again.—
Barry Scott Zellen,
Hartford Courant,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Margaret’s father succeeded him as King George VI, and her mother Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, never forgave the duke for renouncing his duty to his country.—
Samantha Conti,
Footwear News,
29 Dec. 2025
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Ukraine withdrawing from all of the Donbas, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, and Kyiv officially renouncing its aim to join NATO.—
Andrea Shalal,
USA Today,
28 Dec. 2025
Verb
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Seniors can go to virtually any doctor (since nearly all doctors accept traditional Medicare) and receive whatever care their doctor orders (since there is no insurance company denying coverage).—
Marianne Pizzitola,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
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The White House referred the Miami Herald to a statement on the DOJ website, denying any credibility in any accusations against the president.—
Claire Healy,
Miami Herald,
31 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracting. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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