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
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
When the car switches into self-driving mode, the steering wheel retracts smoothly into the dashboard, opening up the cabin and giving occupants more space to relax, work or just stretch out.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
There's even an optional powered roof panel that retracts at the touch of a button.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
OpenAI researcher retracts announcement of math breakthrough.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The black softop retracts and returns tightly into place with a lever mechanism on the console.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
Stowaways often get crushed when the landing gear retracts, as there’s not much room; in many aircraft, the space is even smaller than the trunk of a car.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Visible from the kitchen, where a kinetic window retracts upward with the turn of a wheel, the white angular piece pairs with the white upholstery on the patio lounge chairs and presents a moment of contrast against the nearby forest.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2025
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
When the car switches into self-driving mode, the steering wheel retracts smoothly into the dashboard, opening up the cabin and giving occupants more space to relax, work or just stretch out.
—Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
There's even an optional powered roof panel that retracts at the touch of a button.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
OpenAI researcher retracts announcement of math breakthrough.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The black softop retracts and returns tightly into place with a lever mechanism on the console.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
Stowaways often get crushed when the landing gear retracts, as there’s not much room; in many aircraft, the space is even smaller than the trunk of a car.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Visible from the kitchen, where a kinetic window retracts upward with the turn of a wheel, the white angular piece pairs with the white upholstery on the patio lounge chairs and presents a moment of contrast against the nearby forest.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracts
Verb
-
If the Pentagon withdraws support, the Scouts would have to scramble to replace medical care, transportation and other emergency services.—
Graham Smith,
NPR,
26 Feb. 2026
-
Antonio Delgado withdraws from New York governor race after Mamdani backs Hochul.—
,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Its constitution renounces the right to wage war as a means of settling such disputes.—
NPR Staff,
NPR,
19 Mar. 2026
-
She’s also supported revising Japan’s pacifist constitution, particularly Article 9, which renounces war and bans military forces.—
Hanako Montgomery,
CNN Money,
11 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors this week sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, who denies the rape accusations.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
20 Mar. 2026
-
Prosecutors this week sought a prison sentence of seven years and seven months for Marius Borg Høiby, who denies the rape allegations.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Hochul’s nuclear boosterism contradicts it.—
Manna Jo Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2026
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The situation is compounded when his father gets out of jail, and starts offering up advice that contradicts Coach Taylor's (Kyle Chandler).—
Ken Simmons,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracts. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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