a cat can retract its claws 2 : to withdraw (as an offer, a statement, or a claim) the newspaper retracted the story retractable -ˈtrak-tə-bəl adjective

RETRACTED definition: 1. past simple and past participle of retract 2. to take back an offer or statement, etc. or admit…. Learn more.

When a part of a machine or a part of a person's body retracts or is retracted, it moves inwards or becomes shorter.

Example Sentences Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com. In November, Gunvor retracted its …

Define retracted. retracted synonyms, retracted pronunciation, retracted translation, English dictionary definition of retracted. v. re·tract·ed , re·tract·ing , re·tracts v. tr. 1. To take back; disavow: refused to …

[intransitive, transitive] (specialist) to move back into the main part of something; to pull something back into the main part of something The animal retracted into its shell. The undercarriage failed to retract. …

re•tract2 /rɪˈtrækt/ v. [~ + object] to withdraw (a statement, etc.) as wrong, unfair, etc., esp. formally; recant: retracted his remarks about his opponent. re•tract•a•ble, re•tract•i•ble, adj.: the retractable …

Jan 14, 2026 · Verb retract (third-person singular simple present retracts, present participle retracting, simple past and past participle retracted) (transitive) To cancel or take back (something, such as an …

The newspaper retracted [= withdrew] the story. She was forced to retract [= take back] her statement.

Still, sometimes you wish you could retract something you said or did. Cats can retract their claws, and some snakes can retract their fangs, but words spoken in anger can never be fully retracted, or taken …