1. formal statements withdrawing or taking back previous claims, statements, or publications
2. the action of drawing something back or inward
Usage: often medical or technical

Examples

• The newspaper published retractions of the false stories.
• Several scientific journals issued retractions of the fraudulent research papers.
• The politician’s retractions came too late to save his reputation.
• The witness made retractions of his earlier testimony.
• Muscle retractions can occur after certain injuries.
• The surgeon noted retractions of the chest wall during breathing.
• The company issued public retractions of their misleading advertisements.