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

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

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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 In warmer months, the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows between dining room and terrace retracts such that the whole place is open to the warm breeze coming off the water. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026 And not all of the proofs were certified as correct by the automatic logic verification platform Lean—in fact, some have already been retracted after outside scientists found mistakes. — Joseph Howlett, Scientific American, 8 Oct. 2026 The ShinyHunters group claimed responsibility but offered no verifiable evidence, demanding that the bureau retract a warning describing it as a cybercriminal organization. — Eric Tucker, Los Angeles Times, 23 Sep. 2026 The research and teaching missions will further retract from each other. — Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 17 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for retract

Recent Examples of Synonyms for retract

Verb

The man fell into a coma and succumbed to the disease on October 9, 2026, after life support was withdrawn.

— Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 28 Oct. 2026
As joyful crowds took to the streets to celebrate the students' victory on Sunday, some in the crowd stoned the withdrawing police and dismantled a camp used by Vucic loyalists in a park in central Belgrade for more than a year.

— ABC News, ABC News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of withdraw

Verb

Advertisement Several branches of the Japanese imperial family renounced their royal status in 1947 to cut down on costs the monarchy incurred after the war.

— Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Oct. 2026
The plan is to find candidates from families that renounced their royal status in 1947, which at the time was to ease the postwar financial burden on the monarchy.

— Mari Yamaguchi, Los Angeles Times, 24 Oct. 2026

Definition of renounce

Verb

The motion also argues that the letter contradicts what witnesses testified during the trial about the timeline of when Thompson reported her concerns about the medication log.

— David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 27 Oct. 2026
The phone then stayed in the area for about an hour, contradicting Smith's testimony to police.

— News Editor, CBS News, 27 Oct. 2026

Definition of contradict

Verb

The brothers, through their spokesmen, denied the allegations.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Oct. 2026
The two sides have clashed mightily over data centers, which are broadly unpopular with the public and which the No campaign says could make a bid for the streamlined permitting process, something the Yes side strenuously denies.

— Andrew Graham October 27, Sacbee.com, 28 Oct. 2026

Definition of deny

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retouching

retract

retracted

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“Retract.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/retract. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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