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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of retracts
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
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
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
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracts
Verb
-
Each retiree withdraws $50,000 per year.—
Doug Ashburn,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Tax lien changes Fresh Start also introduced changes to how and when the IRS files and withdraws tax liens, and to the dollar amounts that trigger the issuance of a lien.—
Deane Biermeier,
USA Today,
31 Mar. 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
-
Husband of missing Michigan woman arrested in Bahamas; his attorney says Brian Hooker categorically denies wrongdoing in her disappearance.—
R.j. Rico,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Apr. 2026
-
Nine grandmothers, all in their nineties, staring down death without justice as a far-right Japanese government denies their history.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Voters will thus be asked to hand the human writers of the show nominations in a manner that contradicts of the very thesis of the show (or at least the show within a show).—
Hilary Lewis,
HollywoodReporter,
7 Apr. 2026
-
This contradicts a popular narrative that suggests tattoos will become unsightly as one ages.—
Panashe Matemba-Mutasa,
Mercury News,
7 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Retracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracts. Accessed 10 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
