Synonyms of retract

retract

verb

ri-ˈtrakt 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• withdraw
• renounce
• contradict
• deny
• refute
• recant
• relinquish
• abandon
• repeal
• repudiate
• take back
• renege
• forswear
• abjure
• foreswear
• unsay
• recall
• disavow
• disclaim
• abnegate
• disown
• disprove
• revoke
• spurn
• negate
• forsake
• rebut
• controvert
• gainsay
• disagree (with)
• negative
• surrender
• dispute
• backtrack
• disallow
• give up
• back down
• bolt
• back off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• maintain
• admit
• acknowledge
• claim
• assert
• declare
• adhere (to)
• affirm
• proclaim
• contend
• defend
• confirm
• support
• state
• accept
• profess
• endorse
• uphold
• back
• adopt
• avow
• vouch
• vow
• embrace
• indorse
• espouse

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

Recent Examples of retract

Next month marks the 15-year anniversary of what should have ended Wakefield’s false claim: In February 2010, The Lancet formally retracted his paper in the face of proof that the data had been manipulated. —Eleanor Menzin, TIME, 30 Jan. 2025

However, that paper was retracted because of undeclared competing interests on the part of the author and concerns about the validity of the methods and statistical analysis. —Will Stone, NPR, 30 Jan. 2025

Publishers, however, are often slow to retract tainted papers, even when alerted to obvious signs of fraud. —Guillaume Cabanac, The Conversation, 29 Jan. 2025

The city’s emergency management department retracted the statement in a post on the social platform X and in text messages to residents. —Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 10 Jan. 2025