retraction
rih-TRAK-shun
/rɪˈtrækʃən/
A formal statement issued by a publication withdrawing or correcting a previously published article due to errors or inaccuracies.
More severe than a minor 'correction'; a retraction acknowledges that a story's premise or key facts were fundamentally flawed.
The story behind the word. From Latin 'retractare' meaning to pull back or treat again. Saint Augustine famously wrote a work titled 'Retractationes' late in life to reconsider and revise his earlier writings, cementing the word's association with formal intellectual correction.
Word relationships
- withdrawal: 'Withdrawal' can refer to pulling back any item or statement; 'retraction' specifically denotes publicly taking back published text.
- disavowal: 'Disavowal' means denying connection or responsibility, whereas 'retraction' admits the error in what was published.
- reaffirmation: Reaffirmation asserts the truth and validity of a prior statement.
- confirmation: Confirmation verifies the statement as correct.
Commonly confused with
- correction: A 'correction' fixes small factual mistakes (e.g., misspelling a name), whereas a 'retraction' disavows an entire story or core claim.
Word family
- retract (verb): To formally withdraw a published statement or belief.
- retractable (adjective): Able to be pulled back or withdrawn.
Collocations
- issue a retraction
- formal retraction
- demand a retraction
- full retraction
Example sentences
- "After discovering that the primary source had fabricated their claims, the magazine issued a full front-page retraction." Press ethics
- "The medical journal forced a retraction of the paper after independent researchers failed to replicate the results." Scientific publishing
Memory hook
RE-TRACT = TRACtor pulling a statement BACK into the shed. Retract to pull back what was wrongly published.
When not to use
Do not use for minor typos; use 'correction' or 'erratum' for small mistakes.
Fun facts
- In traditional newspaper layouts, retractions were often printed on page 2 in a dedicated box to ensure readership transparency.
Related words
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