What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retract
Example
He had to retract his statement after realizing it was false. [retract: verb]
Example
The cat retracted its claws after playing with the toy. [retracted: past tense]
rescind
Example
The company decided to rescind their job offer due to budget cuts. [rescind: verb]
Example
The school board voted to rescind the new dress code policy. [rescinded: past participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retract is more commonly used than rescind in everyday language, while rescind is more commonly used in formal or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retract and rescind?
Rescind is generally considered more formal than retract, and is often used in legal or official contexts. Retract can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
