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 can retract its claws when it wants to play gently. [retract: verb]
withdraw
Example
She decided to withdraw from the competition due to an injury. [withdraw: verb]
Example
He withdrew $100 from the ATM to pay for dinner. [withdrew: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Withdraw is more commonly used than retract in everyday language. Withdraw is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while retract is less common and refers to a specific type of action.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retract and withdraw?
Both retract and withdraw can be used in formal or informal contexts. However, retract may be more formal due to its association with legal or academic language, while withdraw is more versatile and can be used in various formality levels.
