Word
retracted
Phoneticsre·tract·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/ɹiˈtɹæktəd/
UK/ɹɪtɹˈæktɪd/
Definition
adj. describing something that has been pulled back or taken away, like a statement that was wrong or a cat's claws.
adj. withdrawn or pulled back into a body or a larger whole; formally disavowed or rescinded. Often functions as a participial adjective describing statements or physical appendages.
Examples
“The cat sat with its claws retracted.”
“The journal marked the article as retracted after the researchers discovered a major error in their data.”
“The landing gear remained only partially retracted, forcing the pilot to declare an emergency and return to the airfield for a manual inspection.”
Examples
simple
“The cat sat with its claws retracted.”
contextual
“The journal marked the article as retracted after the researchers discovered a major error in their data.”
complex
“The landing gear remained only partially retracted, forcing the pilot to declare an emergency and return to the airfield for a manual inspection.”
Usage
Often follows a linking verb like 'remain' or 'be', or modifies a noun directly as a participial adjective.
Real-World Examples
“The drug has not been shown to be effective as a Covid-19 treatment, and the paper was ultimately retracted for ethical and scientific reasons in 2025.” “The scale is massive: in 2023, Hindawi, a now defunct journal brand owned by major publisher Wiley, retracted more than 8,000 articles .” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/retracted