retract

About 0.75 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb To pull (something) back or back inside.

   An airplane retracts its wheels for flight.

2. verb To pull (something) back or back inside.

   An airplane retracts its wheels for flight.

3. verb To draw (an extended body part) back into the body.

   A cat can retract its claws.

4. verb To avert (one's eyes or a gaze).
5. verb To pronounce (a sound, especially a vowel) farther to the back of the vocal tract.
6. verb To hold back (something); to restrain.
7. verb To draw back; to draw up; to withdraw.

   The bus was stuck at the stop as its wheelchair ramp wouldn’t retract after use.

8. noun An act of retracting or withdrawing (a mistake, a statement, etc.); a retraction.

Similar words

shrink back recant abjure forswear draw in retraction fallback withdraw retreat backsliding

Often followed by

the his it and their what or them a

Word family

retractable retracted retracting retracts