retracted

Everyday

1. Pulled back in: a cat with retracted claws. tree →
2. (verb, past) Took back something said or written, admitting it was wrong: "He retracted his statement." tree →
3. (science) Withdrawn or taken back, like a scientific paper that is retracted because it had mistakes. tree →

In the lessons

In nature lessons, a tortoise's retracted head is inside its shell. In news and science, a retracted story or study has been officially taken back. In stories, a character who retracts a promise breaks trust. Phrases: retracted claws, retracted a claim, a retracted paper, retracted the wheels.

Examples

• The cat walked with its claws retracted. tree →
• The newspaper retracted the false story and said sorry. tree →
• The snail retracted its horns when I touched them. tree →
• He retracted what he said about cheating. tree →
• The scientist's paper was retracted because the data was wrong. tree →
• The pilot retracted the landing gear. tree →

Note

"Retract" is regular: retract, retracted. Taking back words = retract (formal) or "take back" (everyday). A retracted study should not be trusted.