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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

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   • T

     1

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2. People also ask

   What does retract mean?

   • re•trac•tion (ri trak′ shən), n. the act of retracting or the state of being retracted. withdrawal of a promise, statement, opinion, etc.: His retraction of the libel came too late. retractile power. re•tract1 /rɪˈtrækt/ v. to draw back or in: [ ~ + object] A snake can retract its fangs. [ no object] The wheels on the airplane don't retract.

   retraction - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

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   What does it mean to retract a Fang?

   • to draw back or in: to retract fangs. to draw back within itself or oneself, fold up, or the like, or to be capable of doing this: The blade retracts. to withdraw (a statement, opinion, etc.) as inaccurate or unjustified, esp. formally or explicitly; take back. to withdraw or revoke (a decree, promise, etc.).

   retract - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

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   What is the difference between retract and retreat?

   • retreat implies withdrawal from a point or position reached. retract implies drawing back from an extended position. back is used with up, down, out, or off to refer to any retrograde motion. A cat can retract its claws. The pilot retracted the plane's landing gear.

   Retracting Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/retracting

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3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retractRetract Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › retract

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, and usage of the verb retract, which means to draw back or in, or to withdraw or take back something. See examples, word history, and related articles from Merriam-Webster.

4. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishRETRACT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   Retract means to take back an offer or statement, etc. or admit that a statement was false, or to pull something back or in. See the formal, American and Business English definitions, synonyms, related words and phrases, and examples of retract.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › retractRETRACT | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › retract

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   Retract means to take back an offer or statement, or to admit that something was false, or to pull something back or in. See how to use retract in different contexts and languages, with synonyms and related words.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › retractRETRACT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › retract

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

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

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › retract

   introvert or invaginate. type of: attract, draw, draw in, pull, pull in. direct toward itself or oneself by means of some psychological power or physical attributes. verb. pull away from a source of disgust or fear. synonyms: shrink back. see more.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   2 days ago · Learn the meaning and usage of the verb retract, which can mean to withdraw, to draw back, or to shrink. Find synonyms, pronunciation, grammar, and related words for retract.

9. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionretract verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Learn the meaning, pronunciation and examples of the verb retract, which can mean to withdraw a statement, to break a promise, or to move back into a shell. See also the word origin and synonyms of retract.