retract

IPA/rɪˈtrækt/
KK[ritrˈækt]IPA/rɪˈtrækt/

retract — 動詞

  • retractpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • retractshe / she / it
  • retractedpast simple
  • retracting-ing form

1. To publicly state that something you said or offered earlier is no longer true o

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

撤回

公開承認先前的說法錯誤

To publicly state that something you said or offered earlier is no longer true or valid, usually because it was a mistake or because new information shows it was wrong.

例句

The magazine retracted the article after the journalist admitted she had invented the story.

記者承認自己捏造了報導後，該雜誌撤回了那篇文章。

collocation: retract + article / statement

Dr. Okonkwo retracted his published findings when new evidence proved the opposite was true.

當新證據證明結果恰好相反時，Okonkwo 博士撤回了他已發表的研究結果。

collocation: retract + findings

常見搭配
  • retract a statement
  • retract an offer
  • retract allegations
  • retract a claim
  • retract testimony
  • retract findings
  • refuse to retract
  • forced to retract
同義詞
  • withdraw

    broader meaning; can be physical or verbal; slightly less formal than retract

  • take back

    informal everyday equivalent; common in spoken English

  • recant

    specifically about giving up a belief or opinion, often under pressure

  • rescind

    most formal; used for official laws, contracts, or decisions

反義詞
  • assert

    to state something firmly and confidently

  • maintain

    to continue to hold a position or belief despite opposition

文法句型

retract + noun phrase (statement, offer, claim)

be retracted (passive)

用法筆記

Frequently found in news reporting, legal contexts, and formal apologies. The thing being retracted is always something that was previously communicated — a statement, claim, offer, or accusation. The passive form ('the claim was retracted') is very common.

常見錯誤

The store retracted the defective product from the shelf.
The store removed the defective product from the shelf.
'retract' applies to statements and offers, not to physical objects taken back into a shop.
I retracted my wallet from my pocket.
I took my wallet out of my pocket.
'retract' is far too formal for everyday physical actions and sounds unnatural.

2. To pull a part of something back into its main body or casing, especially a part

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

縮回

將部位或部件向後或向內拉

To pull a part of something back into its main body or casing, especially a part that was previously sticking out or extended.

例句

The turtle retracted its head and legs into its shell when I picked it up.

那隻烏龜在我把牠拿起來時，將頭和腿縮回了殼裡。

collocation: retract + body part into shell

After takeoff, the pilot retracted the landing gear and turned towards the ocean.

起飛後，飛行員收起起落架，轉向海洋方向飛去。

collocation: retract + landing gear

常見搭配
  • retract claws
  • retract landing gear
  • retract the needle
  • retract the antenna
  • retract the legs
  • retract into its shell
同義詞
  • pull back

    more general everyday term for any backward movement

  • draw in

    emphasises inward motion; slightly more literary

  • withdraw

    formal; can apply to military troops or positions retreating

反義詞
  • extend

    to stretch out or move outward

  • protrude

    to stick out from a surface

文法句型

retract + noun phrase (claws, gear, needle)

be retracted (passive)

用法筆記

The subject is often an animal (retracting claws, head, or limbs) or a machine (retracting landing gear, antenna, or a tape measure). Not used for ordinary everyday pulling of objects — do not say 'retract a door' or 'retract a drawer'.

常見錯誤

She retracted her hand from the hot stove.
She pulled her hand back from the hot stove.
'retract' implies a part designed to be drawn back into a casing, not a sudden reflexive movement.

同根字

常見搭配

副詞搭配

介系詞搭配