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Retract: meaning, definitions and examples

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retract

 

[ rɪˈtrækt ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal

To withdraw or take back (a statement, accusation, promise, etc.) as untrue or unjustified.

Synonyms

recant, revoke, take back, withdraw

Examples of usage

  • I retract my previous statement.
  • The witness decided to retract her testimony.
Context #2 | Verb

general

To draw back or in; to recede.

Synonyms

pull back, recede, withdraw

Examples of usage

  • The cat can retract its claws.
  • The wheels on the plane retract during takeoff.

Translations

Translations of the word "retract" in other languages:

🇵🇹 retração

🇮🇳 वापस लेना

🇩🇪 zurückziehen

🇮🇩 menarik kembali

🇺🇦 відкликати

🇵🇱 cofać

🇯🇵 引っ込める

🇫🇷 rétracter

🇪🇸 retraer

🇹🇷 geri çekmek

🇰🇷 철회하다

🇸🇦 سحب

🇨🇿 stáhnout

🇸🇰 stiahnuť

🇨🇳 收回

🇸🇮 umakniti

🇮🇸 draga til baka

🇰🇿 қайтарып алу

🇬🇪 უკან წაღება

🇦🇿 geri çəkmək

🇲🇽 retraer

Etymology

The word 'retract' originated from the Latin word 'retractare', which means 'to handle, manage, consider, deliberate'. Over time, the meaning evolved to include the idea of pulling back or withdrawing. The verb 'retract' has been used in English since the 15th century.

See also: detract, intractable, protract, protracted, protraction, protractor, subtract, subtraction, tract, tractability, tractable, traction, tractor.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #19,198, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.