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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Instead, agriculture accounts for nearly 90% of water usage, including withdrawing non-renewable water reserves.—
Nik Kowsar,
Time,
2 Oct. 2025
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Harry has twice sued Associated Newspapers for libel, winning one case and withdrawing the other, while his wife Meghan has also won a privacy lawsuit against the publisher.—
Michael Holden,
USA Today,
2 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
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If implemented and successful in resolving claim disputes faster and in a fairer way for everyone involved, the Lone Star State could become a model for other states where homeowners have expressed frustration against carriers underpaying or denying damage claim repayments, like Florida.—
Giulia Carbonaro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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Still, there’s no denying that horror is integral to the midnight movie, and the late Father of Zombies is widely credited with giving both genres their progressive political reputations.—
Alison Foreman,
IndieWire,
3 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retracting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracting. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
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