as in to withdraw
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 retract
In 2017, Jason Chaffetz, the former Utah representative, retracted a disposal bill after a backlash.
—
Abe Streep, ProPublica, 8 July 2025
Claim 2: Vaccines Cause Autism The belief that vaccines cause autism originated from a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which was later retracted due to fraud and ethical violations.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Although the stock has retracted in early 2025, currently down around 55% from its 52-week peak of $25, several factors could propel it back to its former highs, indicating a possible doubling from today’s levels.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The camera pans across the stage as the screen retracts and Captain Lewis emerges from shadow.
—Noah Hawley, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Abe Streep, ProPublica, 8 July 2025
Claim 2: Vaccines Cause Autism The belief that vaccines cause autism originated from a 1998 study by Andrew Wakefield, which was later retracted due to fraud and ethical violations.
—Tim Ryan, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 July 2025
Although the stock has retracted in early 2025, currently down around 55% from its 52-week peak of $25, several factors could propel it back to its former highs, indicating a possible doubling from today’s levels.
—Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025
The camera pans across the stage as the screen retracts and Captain Lewis emerges from shadow.
—Noah Hawley, The Atlantic, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for retract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract
Verb
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Due to uncertainties surrounding tariffs and the global economy, Harley has withdrawn its outook for 2025 that had been provided in February.—
Rick Barrett,
jsonline.com,
31 July 2025
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Never give into demands to withdraw money in your accounts and take cash to a local crypto ATM.—
Susan Tompor,
USA Today,
30 July 2025
Verb
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Rather than coddle terrorists, all concerned parties should work to remove Hamas and establish a governing authority in Gaza—whether indigenous or imposed—that poses no threat to anyone, renounces terrorism, and seeks to live in peace.—
Newsweek Staff,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 July 2025
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Ray plead guilty to King’s murder, but later renounced that plea and maintained his innocence until his death in 1998.—
Mya Abraham,
VIBE.com,
22 July 2025
Verb
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But the President seemed to contradict the Justice Department memo that suggested there were no more files to be disclosed, instead claiming that there are files but that they were written by his rival predecessors and would only serve as a distraction.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
14 July 2025
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But that has contradicted the administration’s own advisories regarding U.S. citizens visiting those countries.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
9 July 2025
Verb
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When Nguyen refused the search and denied the allegation, one deputy allegedly called him a liar and threatened to arrest him.—
Dan Goodin,
ArsTechnica,
22 July 2025
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Trump denies writing the letter and sued the newspaper's publisher over the story July 18.—
Aysha Bagchi,
USA Today,
22 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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