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 The small and highly unreliable study by gastroenterologist Andrew Wakefield that first asserted this was thoroughly debunked and has since been retracted. Emma Woollacott, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025 Hydraulics are used to retract the two clamps prior to launch, and while the system appeared to be working normally, there was enough of a question mark to prompt a scrub. William Harwood, CBS News, 12 Mar. 2025 Limits have been places on dissemination of scientific research on LGBTQ and gender topics, as CDC researchers have been ordered to retract any unpublished research containing terms such as gender, transgender or LGBTQ. Dr. Gary Spinner, Hartford Courant, 4 Mar. 2025 The school has retracted the public DEI statements of some programs, removed faculty diversity data, and revised a calendar of multicultural graduation events. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 2 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for retract
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract
Verb
  • Waltz is now Trump's national security advisor, but Gaetz withdrew from consideration for attorney general.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
  • The race attracted serious fundraising from Democrats, and was in the spotlight after President Trump withdrew Rep. Elise Stefanik's name from consideration for U.N. ambassador to avoid risking further depleting his party's already narrow majority.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 1 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The outlet also confirmed that Cooper's network renounced their rights to Hot Mess and that SiriusXM will no longer sell ads for the show.
    Athena Sobhan, People.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Cromwell came up with a legal solution for the king’s problem, pushing Parliament to pass a series of acts that renounced papal authority and declared Henry the supreme head of the nascent Church of England.
    Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The Trump administration argued on Thursday that California’s policy contradicts FERPA, or the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, a federal law that allows parents to access their children’s educational records.
    Dana Goldstein, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Their account contradicts what the victim’s family said during a March 12 news conference.
    Nick Sullivan, Charlotte Observer, 27 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Finland's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, citing Trump's executive order that the U.S. now only recognizes two sexes, male and female, says if the gender listed on an applicant's passport does not match their gender assigned at birth, their travel permit or visa application can be denied.
    Chandelis Duster, NPR, 22 Mar. 2025
  • The original post about Hailey's like has seemingly been removed and the model has denied the allegations through a rep.
    Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 22 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 7 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on retract

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