What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
retraction
Example
The newspaper issued a retraction of their previous article due to factual errors. [retraction: noun]
Example
He retracted his statement after realizing it was false. [retracted: verb]
revocation
Example
The company faced revocation of their business license due to violations of safety regulations. [revocation: noun]
Example
The judge revoked the defendant's bail after they failed to appear in court. [revoked: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Retraction is more commonly used than revocation in everyday language, especially in the context of journalism or academic writing. Revocation is more specialized and typically used in legal or administrative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between retraction and revocation?
Revocation is generally considered more formal than retraction, as it is often used in legal or administrative contexts where formality is expected. However, both words can be used in formal or informal contexts depending on the situation.
