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Meanings of retract in English

Portuguese
abjurar
Catalan
retractar-se

Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure.

abjurar
Russian
деформационный ретракт
Catalan
retracció

Continuous mapping from a topological space into a subspace.

Related terms
деформационный ретракт

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

Pull away from a source of disgust or fear.

Synonyms
Examples for "shrink back"
Examples for "shrink back"
1
I tried to shrink back, an impossible feat in my current condition.
Monster Hunter International
2
The fair occupants of the box are frightened, and timidly shrink back.
Second Book of Tales
3
It is the uncertain that causes us to tremble and shrink back.
The Home Mission
4
But a glance from Bright-Wits caused him to shrink back in alarm.
Bright-Wits, Prince of Mogadore
5
She did not shrink back, though the pupils of her eyes dilated.
The Shuttle
Usage of retract in English
1
I have spoken; thou hast heard; I add nothing and retract nothing.
Historical Miniatures
2
Given the chance to retract the statement, Ford stuck to his guns.
Wired
3
On second thought, I retract my earlier callous remarks about the Moon.
Death by black hole: and other cosmic quandaries
4
He called on the police minister to retract his assertions and apologise.
The South African
5
Percy Simelane The government has demanded that the newspaper retract its story.
The South African
6
That was the climax; I could not retract what I had said.
Original Short Stories — Volume 03
7
Not to retract after committing an error may itself be called error.
Chinese Literature / Comprising the Analects of Confucius, the S...
8
The authorities called him up and commanded him to retract; he refused.
Sketches of the Covenanters
9
There was truth to that, but Njeri did not retract her offer.
Seven Wonders of a Once and Future World & Other Stories
10
I said that a few times in Wales, but I retract it.
Penelope's Postscripts
11
Sir, I make allowance for you; I retract my menace, and apologize.
Erema; Or, My Father's Sin
12
I thought he might realize the less-than-desireable realities and retract his interest.
Climbing Magazine
13
I never retract; and the marquis snapped his fingers under D'Hérouville's nose.
The Grey Cloak
14
Both say they were pressed to retract and prosecuted when they refused.
The Guardian
15
Every sentiment in that letter, except those which conveyed admiration, I retract.
The Parisians — Volume 11
16
The deadbolts retract, rapid-fire, and the door to the patient room opens.
Dark Matter
About this term
More collocations
Translations for retract
Retract through the time
Retract across language varieties
South Africa
Common
United Kingdom
Less common
United States of America
Less common