# retract

> English word · Verb · IPA /ɹɪˈtɹækt/ · frequency rank #27,994

## Definitions
1. To pull (something) back or back inside.
2. To pull (something) back or back inside.
3. To avert (one's eyes or a gaze).
4. To pronounce (a sound, especially a vowel) farther to the back of the vocal tract.
5. To hold back (something); to restrain.
6. To draw back; to draw up; to withdraw.

## Etymology
From Late Middle English retracten, retract (“to absorb, draw in”), from Latin retractus (“withdrawn”), the perfect passive participle of Latin retrahō (“to draw or pull back, withdraw; to bring back; to compel to turn back; to recall; to get back, recover; to hold back, restrain, withhold; to remove, take away; to bring to light again; (Late Latin) to delay”), from re- (prefix meaning ‘again’) + trahō (“to drag, pull; to extract, withdraw”). Doublet of retreat.

## Easily confused with
- **retreat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retract-vs-retreat)
- **retracted** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retract-vs-retracted)
- **react** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/react-vs-retract)
- **retrace** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/retrace-vs-retract)
- **restrict** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/restrict-vs-retract)

## Common misspellings (11)
`ertract`, `rertact`, `retarct`, `retracct`, `retractt`, `retratc`, `retrcat`, `retrract`, `rettract`, `rretract`, `rteract`

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