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retractar

rre-track-TAR/retɾakˈtaɾ/

“retractar” means “to retract” in Spanish (to take back a public statement or promise).

to retract

Also: to recant, to take back
VerbB2regular arformal
A public speaker at a podium pulling a large scroll back toward themselves with a serious expression.
gerundretractando
past Participleretractado
infinitiveretractar

📝 In Action

El periódico tuvo que retractarse de la noticia falsa.

B2

The newspaper had to retract the fake news story.

Si no te retractas de tus insultos, no hablaré contigo.

B2

If you don't take back your insults, I won't speak with you.

El testigo se retractó de su declaración ante el juez.

C1

The witness recanted his statement before the judge.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • desdecirse (to go back on one's word)
  • revocar (to revoke)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • retractarse de sus palabras – to take back one's words
  • obligar a retractarse – to force to retract
  • negarse a retractarse – to refuse to recant

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesretractaran
yoretractara
túretractaras
vosotrosretractarais
nosotrosretractáramos
él/ella/ustedretractara

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesretracten
yoretracte
túretractes
vosotrosretractéis
nosotrosretractemos
él/ella/ustedretracte

indicative

preterite

ellos/ellas/ustedesretractaron
yoretracté
túretractaste
vosotrosretractasteis
nosotrosretractamos
él/ella/ustedretractó

imperfect

ellos/ellas/ustedesretractaban
yoretractaba
túretractabas
vosotrosretractabais
nosotrosretractábamos
él/ella/ustedretractaba

present

ellos/ellas/ustedesretractan
yoretracto
túretractas
vosotrosretractáis
nosotrosretractamos
él/ella/ustedretracta
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "retractar" in Spanish:

to recant→to retract→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: retractar

Question 1 of 3

How do you say 'I take back what I said' using this verb?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
retractación(retraction) — Noun
retractable(retractable) — Adjective
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin word 'retractare', which means 'to handle again' or 'to reconsider'. It combines 're-' (again) and 'tractare' (to handle).

First recorded: 15th century

Cognates (Related words)

English: retractFrench: rétracter

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'retractar' the same as 'arrepentirse'?

Not exactly. 'Arrepentirse' means to feel regret in your heart. 'Retractarse' is the formal act of physically or verbally taking back a statement you previously made.

Can I use 'retractar' for a retractable pen?

Technically yes, but in Spanish we usually use 'retráctil' for the adjective (bolígrafo retráctil) rather than the verb 'retractar'.

Is it a regular verb?

Yes! It follows the standard rules for all verbs ending in -ar, with no stem changes.