as in withdrew
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in revoked
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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 retracted
Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
On August 4, the situation culminated when the National Assembly officially retracted feudal rights.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Even with the soft-top retracted, the Cabrio has a beautifully chic side profile.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The network retracted some of the more bombastic allegations in December 2020.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
If a school bus extends its stop sign on a two-lane road, all vehicles must come to a stop until the stop sign is retracted.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
The woman has retracted her allegations.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2025
Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, retracted his choices to serve on the committee.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2021
Verb
The threat of retracted benefits, too, is a sticking point.
—Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
Adjective
An examination of the plane after impact revealed the landing gear down and flaps retracted, according to the preliminary report.
—Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 9 Sep. 2025
On August 4, the situation culminated when the National Assembly officially retracted feudal rights.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 27 Aug. 2025
Even with the soft-top retracted, the Cabrio has a beautifully chic side profile.
—Peter Nelson, Forbes.com, 25 Aug. 2025
The network retracted some of the more bombastic allegations in December 2020.
—Nicholas Riccardi, Fortune, 18 Aug. 2025
If a school bus extends its stop sign on a two-lane road, all vehicles must come to a stop until the stop sign is retracted.
—Clifford Ward, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
The woman has retracted her allegations.
—Lauren Peller, ABC News, 7 Aug. 2025
Then-House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a Republican, retracted his choices to serve on the committee.
—Zachary Schermele, USA Today, 6 Jan. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for retracted
Verb
-
Just a day before Amtrak unveiled its new Acela trains, his department withdrew another $175 million earmarked for California rail projects.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
-
In January 2023, Imavov was booked to face Kelvin Gastelum, but that fight fell apart when Gastelum withdrew.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring Taipei under its control.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
The withheld funding supports election monitoring, independent media and other pro-democracy programs abroad.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
14 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Her lawsuit denied the charges but did not provide more details.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Sep. 2025
-
The doctor spent more than 1,300 days incarcerated while repeatedly denied bail.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Too long submerged in suppressed grief, Zilpha now came up from its depth like any swimmer stroking toward light and sweet air.—
Annie Proulx,
New Yorker,
10 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
And not a single Democrat then contradicted them or criticized them.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
7 Sep. 2025
-
Blood spatter on the hood outside the car contradicted Buford Pusser’s statements.—
Audrey McAvoy,
Twin Cities,
31 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
In a response to the allegations obtained by PEOPLE, Phypers refuted the claims made by Richards' lawyers.—
Stephanie Wenger,
PEOPLE,
9 Sep. 2025
-
Through reps, Marr refuted Mozz’s claims.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
3 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Retracted.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retracted. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share