Retract — synonyms, definition

1. retract (Verb)

abandon abjure annul cancel counteract depart disengage draw back draw in evacuate forswear frustrate leave negate neutralise neutralize pull back recall recant recoil • • •

retract (Verb) — Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure. ex. "He retracted his earlier statements about his religion"

retract (Verb) — Pull away from a source of disgust or fear.

retract (Verb) — Use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ).

retract (Verb) — Pull inward or towards a centre. ex. "The cat retracted his claws"

attract blench cringe disown draw draw in flinch funk pull pull in quail recoil renounce repudiate shrink squinch wince introvert invaginate