retract

Synonym Chooser

How is the word retract different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of retract are abjure, forswear, recant, and renounce. While all these words mean "to withdraw one's word or professed belief," retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

When would abjure be a good substitute for retract?

The words abjure and retract are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

In what contexts can forswear take the place of retract?

The meanings of forswear and retract largely overlap; however, forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

When might recant be a better fit than retract?

While in some cases nearly identical to retract, recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

When is renounce a more appropriate choice than retract?

The synonyms renounce and retract are sometimes interchangeable, but renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

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 retract Whereas Vance seems to be talking about it as a way of retracting and going inward. Amanda Lewellyn, Vox, 10 May 2025 The 1,000,000 sf roof is made up of 302 translucent panels, 46 of which can be retracted. Tim Genske, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 Nearly two weeks after Cornell University retracted their decision to have Kehlani headline an end-of-year concert, Summerstage has chosen to follow suit due to looming pressure from Mayor Eric Adams‘ office. Mya Abraham, VIBE.com, 5 May 2025 There's a cover that retracts automatically when the pet with the collar approaches the stainless steel food bowl, and everything can be controlled and monitored through the app. Molly Higgins, Wired News, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for retract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract
Verb
  • Macron made the remarks as the U.S. is considering withdrawing troops from Europe to shift them to the Indo-Pacific.
    DAVID RISING, Arkansas Online, 31 May 2025
  • Acknowledging those headwinds, Mulgrew has since withdrawn the UFT’s support for the the plan, which would have provided the city with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual savings.
    Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • The measure shows how Florida’s flagship institution is formalizing political expectations for Ono, who conservative critics have renounced as a left-wing opportunist feigning opposition to DEI to appease the state’s Republican base.
    Garrett Shanley, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 June 2025
  • Yes, but once you are naturalized, you are considered fully Argentine in the eyes of the law, and citizenship cannot be renounced.
    Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
Verb
  • Reversing the recommendation for vaccinating healthy pregnant women thus contradicts the new framework described by the FDA.
    Libby Richards, The Conversation, 29 May 2025
  • Though police initially believed her, forensic evidence and cellphone records contradicted her claims, and in 2022, Sherri admitted the entire abduction had been staged.
    Emily Blackwood, People.com, 27 May 2025
Verb
  • At the very least, there’s no denying that Stewart has artistic conviction.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
  • No matter the medium, there’s no denying that art stirs the senses unlike most forms of expression.
    Roger Sands, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on retract

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