# retract vs retreat

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### retract
*verb · IPA /ɹɪˈtɹækt/ · frequency rank #27,994*
To pull (something) back or back inside.

### retreat
*noun · IPA /ɹɪˈtɹiːt/ · frequency rank #5,833*
The act of pulling back or withdrawing, as from something dangerous, or unpleasant.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retract-vs-retreat