Meaning & Definition of Retract in English
English⟶
Retract
/ritrækt/
verb
1. Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
- "He retracted his earlier statements about his religion"
- "She abjured her beliefs"
synonym:
- abjure,
- recant,
- forswear,
- retract,
- resile
2. Pull away from a source of disgust or fear
synonym:
- shrink back,
- retract
3. Use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
synonym:
- retract,
- pull back,
- draw back
4. Pull inward or towards a center
- "The pilot drew in the landing gear"
- "The cat retracted his claws"
synonym:
- draw in,
- retract