as in withdraws
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 retracts
When the car switches into self-driving mode, the steering wheel retracts smoothly into the dashboard, opening up the cabin and giving occupants more space to relax, work or just stretch out.
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Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 9 Jan. 2026
There's even an optional powered roof panel that retracts at the touch of a button.
—Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 22 Nov. 2025
OpenAI researcher retracts announcement of math breakthrough.
—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 21 Oct. 2025
The black softop retracts and returns tightly into place with a lever mechanism on the console.
—James Raia, Mercury News, 28 Sep. 2025
Stowaways often get crushed when the landing gear retracts, as there’s not much room; in many aircraft, the space is even smaller than the trunk of a car.
—Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 23 Sep. 2025
Visible from the kitchen, where a kinetic window retracts upward with the turn of a wheel, the white angular piece pairs with the white upholstery on the patio lounge chairs and presents a moment of contrast against the nearby forest.
—Rachel Gallaher, Robb Report, 21 Sep. 2025
Once at the top or bottom, the Marswalker retracts the bracers and opens its doors again so that the S2 can be on its way while the Marswalker waits for the return trip.
—PC Magazine, 4 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracts
Verb
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Musk withdraws the California suit in June, then files a federal suit in August.—
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If a parent later withdraws permission, the app developer must be notified to disable access.—
Verb
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She’s also supported revising Japan’s pacifist constitution, particularly Article 9, which renounces war and bans military forces.—
Verb
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Despite the demand letter, Daou denies any allegations the family attempted to steal from the park.—
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He is charged with felony strangulation or suffocation and misdemeanor assault and battery, but denies the allegations.—
Verb
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Voters forget scandals that should matter but vividly remember ones that fit their partisan worldview, sometimes even when memory contradicts fact.—
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The witness claimed Mbolo Isac was not a victim of road rage, which contradicts the NYPD version, as well as surveillance video described to the Daily News.—
Cite this Entry
“Retracts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracts. Accessed 13 Jan. 2026.
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