RETRACT Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

retract

verb

ri-ˈtrakt

Definition of retract next

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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Examples 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 Following weeks of public complaints, including an open letter signed by 13 organizations, about the decision, the Montgomery County Commission retracted the re-classification on Tuesday, moving the book back to the children's non-fiction section of the library. —

Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 26 Oct. 2024 In the lyrical spar, J. Cole offered a diss record against his Compton peer, but then retracted the song and issued an apology. —

Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 5 Nov. 2024 The most infamous of these had occurred in 2000, when several networks prematurely called Florida for Al Gore, only to retract the call and later declare George W. Bush the winner, as the state plunged into a protracted recount. —

Josh Rottenberg, Los Angeles Times, 3 Nov. 2024 The main living room has double-height ceilings and a wall of glass that retracts for seamless indoor-outdoor living. —

Denny Lee, Travel + Leisure, 2 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for retract

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract

Verb

Two works, a Diane Arbus photo and an Eric Fischl painting, were withdrawn, presumably for lack of interest.

Brian Boucher for ArtNews, Robb Report, 23 Nov. 2024
The recommendations are quite broad, so the Section recommends that Treasury withdraw and reissue the current Proposed TOI Regulations with a requirement that reporting would be required only for TOIs entered into on or after the re-proposal occurs.

Kelly Phillips Erb, Forbes, 23 Nov. 2024