What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retractation
Example
The politician issued a retractation of his previous statement. [retractation: noun]
Example
She made a public retractation of her false accusations against him. [retractation: noun]
retraction
Example
The retraction of the cat's claws was a sign of relaxation. [retraction: noun]
Example
The surgeon performed a retraction of the surgical instrument. [retraction: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retraction is more commonly used than retractation in everyday language. Retraction is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while retractation is less common and typically used in legal or formal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retractation and retraction?
Retractation is more formal than retraction and is typically used in legal or academic contexts. Retraction is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
