retract

USAGE SUMMARY

'retract' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it when you want to describe the act of taking something back, or removing something. For example: "The politician was forced to retract his statement about the economy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"So I would like to retract my comments.

The Guardian - Sport

Is Cameron trying to get people to subconsciously imagine him in a third term?! Is it better to say 'no' and then retract it in 2020 and stay; is this a win-win for Cameron?? Or was it just an honest, simple answer??" – Taunton Deane "Cocky sod, he's not got a second yet".

The Guardian

Without this money Uruguay admitted it would have had to retract its tobacco control law and settle with Philip Morris out of court.

The Guardian

Asked if he wanted to retract that, he said: "Broadcast it, for me".

The Guardian - Sport

But while Mr Sikorski may be right that Vladimir Putin poses a grave threat both to Ukraine and to Russia's other European neighbours, the tall tale he was forced to retract on Tuesday has made it harder for Poland to make that case.

The Economist

John DiIulio, who was brought into the White House to implement Mr Bush's "faith-based initiative", was told to retract his criticism that the administration lacked a proper policy shop for evaluating facts and arguments impartially.

The Economist

At one point, as supporters waited patiently in the rain, the vice-president telephoned Mr Bush to offer his congratulations and got into his limousine to make a concession speech only to stop two blocks away and retract it as the vote tally plunged America into the political equivalent of a black hole.

The Economist

The White House glumly announced its conclusion, only to retract an hour later, after the two sides had been persuaded to stay and talk more, under Madeleine Albright, the secretary of state, while Bill Clinton flew to Okinawa for the G8 summit.

The Economist

Jitters over how many more will follow, and confusion over how these contracts will be enforced in the clogged courts, has spread fear and caused banks to retract lending.To make matters worse, external funding has dried up.

The Economist

The BICEP2 team had seen only a cosmological will-o-the-wisp.Making such a big announcement only to retract it a year later may seem embarrassing.

The Economist

To her embarrassment, the former first lady had to retract a story that she had run for cover from sniper fire upon landing when she visited Bosnia in 1996.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "retract" when you want to emphasize the formal or official nature of taking something back, especially in contexts like publications or legal statements. It is particularly useful when accuracy and accountability are paramount.

Common error

Avoid using "retract" in casual conversations. Simpler alternatives like "take back" or "withdraw" are more appropriate for informal settings. Overusing "retract" in everyday speech can sound overly formal or pretentious.

Linguistic Context

The verb "retract" is primarily used to formally withdraw or take back a statement, claim, or offer. Ludwig AI confirms its use across various contexts, indicating its role in correcting or disavowing prior assertions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "retract" is a verb used to formally withdraw or take back a statement, claim, or offer. Ludwig AI's analysis shows that it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, including news, science, and business. While versatile, it’s important to note, according to Ludwig, that "retract" is best suited for formal situations, as noted previously, and alternatives like "take back" or "withdraw" might be more appropriate in informal conversations. Common errors include misusing "retract" in overly casual contexts. Remember to use "retract" when accuracy and official stance are key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take back

This alternative is a more direct and commonly used synonym.

withdraw

This term is suitable in formal contexts, suggesting a formal removal or cancellation.

recant

This word specifically implies a formal retraction of a previously held belief or statement.

revoke

This term applies to withdrawing a decree, permission, or privilege.

disavow

Implies a denial of responsibility or support for something.

repeal

Typically used for laws or regulations that are officially cancelled.

nullify

This suggests making something invalid or without legal force.

rescind

This term indicates the cancellation of a contract or agreement.

abrogate

Formally abolish or annul.

back down

This suggests withdrawing from a position or argument, often under pressure.

FAQs

How to use "retract" in a sentence?

You can use "retract" to indicate taking back a statement, like: "The newspaper had to "retract" the article due to factual inaccuracies."

What can I say instead of "retract"?

You can use alternatives like "take back", "withdraw", or "recant" depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "retract a statement" or "retract from a statement"?

"Retract a statement" is the correct usage. The verb "retract" typically takes a direct object, indicating what is being taken back. "Retract from a statement" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "retract" and "revoke"?

"Retract" is often used for statements or claims, while "revoke" usually refers to cancelling or rescinding a formal decree, law, or privilege. For example, you "retract" a claim, but you "revoke" a license.