Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Re·tract

   /rəˈtrak(t)/

   

   verb

   • 1. draw back: "she retracted her hand as if she'd been burnt" Similar pull indraw inpull backsheatheput awayOpposite extend
   • ▪ (of an animal) draw (a part of itself) back into its body: "the cat retracted her claws" Similar pull indraw inpull backsheatheput awayOpposite extend
   • 2. withdraw (a statement or accusation) as untrue or unjustified: "he retracted his allegations" Similar take backwithdrawunsayrecantdisowndisavowdisclaimabjurerepudiaterenouncereverserevokerescindannulcancelgo back onbacktrack ondo a U-turn onrow back oneat one's wordsdo an about-turn onOpposite assertconfirm
   • ▪ withdraw or go back on (an undertaking): "the parish council was forced to retract a previous resolution"

   Word Origin late Middle English: from Latin retract- ‘drawn back’, from the verb retrahere (from re- ‘back’ + trahere ‘drag’); the senses ‘withdraw (a statement’) and ‘go back on’ via Old French from retractare ‘reconsider’ (based on trahere ‘drag’).

   Derivatives

   • 1. retractive adjective

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • T

     1

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • C

     3

   • T

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryRETRACT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to take back an offer or statement, etc. or admit that a statement was false: retract an invitation / confession / promise. When questioned on TV, he retracted his allegations. [ I or T ] to pull something back or in: The wheels retract after the aircraft takes off. The cat retracted its claws.

3. www.dictionary.com › browse › retractRETRACT Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retract

   • Cached

   Retract definition: to draw back or in. See examples of RETRACT used in a sentence.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishRETRACT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   4 days ago · 1. verb. If you retract something that you have said or written, you say that you did not mean it. [formal] Mr Smith hurriedly sought to retract the statement, but it had just been broadcast on national radio. [VERB noun] He's hoping that if he makes me feel guilty, I'll retract. [VERB]

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retractRetract - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retract

   Definitions of retract. verb. formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure. “He retracted his earlier statements about his religion” synonyms: abjure, forswear, recant, resile. see more. verb. pull inward or towards a center. “The cat retracted his claws” synonyms: draw in. attract, draw, draw in, pull, pull in.

6. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishretract verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

   • Cached

   retract. verb. /rɪˈtrækt/ Verb Forms. [transitive] retract something (formal) to say that something you have said earlier is not true or correct or that you did not mean it. He made a false confession which he later retracted. They tried to persuade me to retract my words. to retract a claim/an allegation/a confession. Want to learn more?

7. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishretract | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   retract | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary. Meaning of retract – Learner’s Dictionary. retract. verb [ I, T ] formal uk / rɪˈtrækt / us. to admit that something you said before was not true: Several key witnesses have retracted their statements / claims / allegations. Want to learn more?

8. www.thefreedictionary.com › retractRetract - definition of retract by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › retract

   • Cached

   1. To take back; disavow: refused to retract the statement. 2. To draw back or in: a plane retracting its landing gear. 3. Linguistics. a. To utter (a sound) with the tongue drawn back. b. To draw back (the tongue). v.intr. 1. To take something back or disavow it. 2. To draw back: a leash that retracts into a plastic case. See Synonyms at recede 1.