as in withdraws
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 retracts
Individuals may also face injury in some instances if the seat belt retracts rapidly.
—
Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Rather than dying, the animal retracts its tentacles, reabsorbs its bell and sinks.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
The Lincoln’s version unfolds and retracts when the Navigator’s engine starts and stops.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Initially hidden, the rotary controller—emblazoned with the Spirit of Ecstasy icon—is revealed when the armrest retracts upon entry.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
In bouncer mode, your baby will be secure in a harness that automatically retracts once the bassinet lays flat.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
The wheels glide smoothly and quietly, and the telescopic handle extends and retracts seamlessly—even when the case is fully packed.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
The boom microphone is a capsule on a flexible wire arm that retracts into the cup.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
The padded backpack straps also impressed testers, most notably a design that retracts straps in a stash pocket when needed.
—Drew Zieff, Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Michelle Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 3 June 2026
Rather than dying, the animal retracts its tentacles, reabsorbs its bell and sinks.
—Scott Travers, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
The Lincoln’s version unfolds and retracts when the Navigator’s engine starts and stops.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 1 May 2026
Initially hidden, the rotary controller—emblazoned with the Spirit of Ecstasy icon—is revealed when the armrest retracts upon entry.
—Viju Mathew, Robb Report, 14 Apr. 2026
In bouncer mode, your baby will be secure in a harness that automatically retracts once the bassinet lays flat.
—Devonne Goode, Parents, 7 Apr. 2026
The wheels glide smoothly and quietly, and the telescopic handle extends and retracts seamlessly—even when the case is fully packed.
—Charley Ward, Condé Nast Traveler, 5 Apr. 2026
The boom microphone is a capsule on a flexible wire arm that retracts into the cup.
—Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 6 Mar. 2026
The padded backpack straps also impressed testers, most notably a design that retracts straps in a stash pocket when needed.
—Drew Zieff, Outside, 17 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracts
Verb
-
Israel wants to disarm Hezbollah immediately before the Israeli military ends its operations in Lebanon and withdraws its troops from dozens of villages and towns.—
Kareem Chehayeb,
Los Angeles Times,
3 June 2026
-
Jasmine withdraws much of the time.—
Larissa MacFarquhar,
New Yorker,
28 May 2026
Verb
-
Miami will have the ability to use multiple sizable salary cap exceptions if Wiggins opts out or if Wiggins stays but Miami renounces Powell, which remove his cap hold and eliminate his Bird rights.—
Barry Jackson,
Miami Herald,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The first follows the Rajput king Ratansen of Chitor (a fortress in what is now Chittorgarh, Rajasthan), who renounces his throne and travels as a yogi (wandering ascetic) to the island kingdom of Simhal to win the legendary Padmavati.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
9 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
He has not been charged with a crime and denies any wrongdoing.—
Cristian Benavides,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
Combs denies all misconduct claims.—
Liza Esquibias,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Verb
-
None of this contradicts the reasonable half of the reform impulse.—
Shivaram Rajgopal,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2026
-
The president obfuscates or lies; the press contradicts him; the Pentagon’s own investigators find against him; senators of both parties demand answers; and the polls turn against the war.—
Bobby Ghosh,
Time,
27 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracts. Accessed 8 Jun. 2026.
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