[verb] formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure; "He retracted his earlier statements about his religion"; "She abjured her beliefs" Synonyms: abjure, recant, forswear, resile
[verb] pull away from a source of disgust or fear Synonyms: shrink back
[verb] use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ) Synonyms: pull back, draw back
[verb] pull inward or towards a center; "The pilot drew in the landing gear"; "The cat retracted his claws" Synonyms: draw in
