retracting
Pulling something in
Retracting is the act of drawing something back or withdrawing it.
A cat retracts its claws; a plane retracts its landing gear.
When someone retracts a statement, they take it back—formally withdrawing what they previously said: The newspaper retracted the story after discovering errors.
The word implies deliberate reversal, pulling back something that was extended or put forward.
Remove or pull away
- pull backTo retreat or disengage
- recedeMove back from
- contractEnforceable written agreement
- shrinkDecrease in size
fold · collapse · telescope · coil · curl · draw in · shorten · compress
Formally cancel or withdraw
- revokeOfficially cancel authorization
- annulDeclare legally void
- repealAnnul a statute
- nullifyMake of no effect
cancel · void · abrogate · invalidate · countermand · vacate · quash · overturn
Formal withdrawal of statement
- disavowalRejection of connection
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- backpedalingReversing one's position
- renunciationFormal surrender of claim
repudiation · withdrawal · correction · amendment · disclaimer · walkback · clarification · revision
withdraw
Remove or pull away
shrink · fold · collapse · telescope · coil · curl · draw in · shorten · compress · retreat
rescind
Formally cancel or withdraw
nullify · cancel · void · abrogate · invalidate · countermand · vacate · quash · overturn · abolish
recantation
Formal withdrawal of statement
- disavowalRejection of connection
- apologyStatement acknowledging wrongdoing
- backpedalingReversing one's position
renunciation · repudiation · withdrawal · correction · amendment · disclaimer · walkback · clarification · revision · admission
claws
Animal gripping nails
tentacles · antennae · proboscis · snail · cat · tortoise · turtle · armadillo · hedgehog · sea anemone
actuator
Device producing controlled motion
hydraulics · piston · solenoid · gear · motor · spool · winch · lever · linkage · cam
- jaw actionschewing, clenching, opening, closing, biting
- repudiatingrenouncing, disclaiming, rejecting, disavowing, disowning
- flinchingflinch, flinching, wince, wincing, recoil
retractingextending
Increasing in reach
protruding · projecting · deploying · expanding · unfurling
retractingaffirming
Declaring something true
reaffirming · maintaining · standing by · upholding · confirming
retractingextending
Increasing in reach
honoring · fulfilling · upholding · keeping · confirming