Rescind vs. Retract — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 29, 2024
Rescinding involves officially revoking or canceling a decision or agreement, whereas retracting is about formally withdrawing a statement or accusation.
Difference Between Rescind and Retract
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Rescinding is a formal act, often used in the context of legal, contractual, or official matters, where a decision, law, or agreement is nullified or revoked. On the other hand, retracting typically refers to the act of formally withdrawing a statement, opinion, or accusation.
Rescinding often implies a certain authority or power to nullify decisions or agreements. Whereas retracting is generally a personal action, focused on statements or beliefs, and doesn't necessarily require authority over anyone else besides oneself.
Rescinding a legal document or agreement often involves a formal procedure, including paperwork and possibly legal proceedings, to ensure that the rescission is recognized and enforced. In contrast, retracting a statement might simply involve issuing a new statement to clarify or correct the previous one.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To officially revoke or cancel a decision, law, or agreement.
To formally withdraw a statement or accusation.
Context
Legal, contractual, official matters.
Statements, opinions, publications.
ADVERTISEMENT
Authority Required
Yes, often involves formal procedures and affects all parties.
No, generally a personal action by the statement's originator.
Implications
Legal and practical, affecting documents and agreements.
Primarily affects credibility and reliability.
Process
Formal, may involve legal proceedings or official protocols.
Can be informal, such as issuing a new statement or correction.
Compare with Definitions
Rescind
To officially cancel or repeal a law or regulation.
The government voted to rescind the outdated law.
Retract
To formally withdraw a statement, opinion, or accusation.
The journalist retracted the erroneous article.
Rescind
To annul or terminate a contract formally.
Due to a breach of terms, the contract was rescinded.
Retract
To withdraw or disavow a published research finding.
The scientist retracted the study due to flawed data.
Rescind
To revoke or withdraw an administrative decision.
The permit was rescinded due to non-compliance with the regulations.
Retract
To withdraw a published work or part of it due to errors or inaccuracies.
The author retracted the chapter after discovering factual errors.
Rescind
To officially revoke or annul a decision or agreement.
The board decided to rescind the previous decision after further review.
Retract
To take back a previously stated opinion or claim.
The politician retracted his earlier statement during the interview.
Rescind
To reverse or cancel an official decision or policy.
The policy was rescinded following public outcry.
Retract
To correct oneself by withdrawing a previous assertion.
Realizing the mistake, she quickly retracted her accusation.
Rescind
To make void; repeal or annul.
Retract
To take back; disavow
Refused to retract the statement.
Rescind
(transitive) To repeal, annul, or declare void; to take (something such as a rule or contract) out of effect.
The agency will rescind the policy because many people are dissatisfied with it.
Retract
To draw back or in
A plane retracting its landing gear.
Rescind
(transitive) To cut away or off.
Retract
To utter (a sound) with the tongue drawn back.
Rescind
To cut off; to abrogate; to annul.
The blessed Jesus . . . did sacramentally rescind the impure relics of Adam and the contraction of evil customs.
Retract
To draw back (the tongue).
Rescind
Specifically, to vacate or make void, as an act, by the enacting authority or by superior authority; to repeal; as, to rescind a law, a resolution, or a vote; to rescind a decree or a judgment.
Retract
To take something back or disavow it.
Rescind
Annul by recalling or rescinding;
He revoked the ban on smoking
Lift an embargo
Vacate a death sentence
Retract
To draw back
A leash that retracts into a plastic case.
Retract
(transitive)
Retract
To pull (something) back or back inside.
Pull back
An airplane retracts its wheels for flight.
Retract
(rare) To avert (one's eyes or a gaze).
Retract
(phonetics) To pronounce (a sound, especially a vowel) farther to the back of the vocal tract.
Retract
(obsolete) To hold back (something); to restrain.
Retract
(intransitive) To draw back; to draw up; to withdraw.
The bus was stuck at the stop as its wheelchair ramp wouldn’t retract after use.
Muscles retract after amputation.
Retract
(transitive)
Retract
To cancel or take back (something, such as an edict or a favour or grant previously bestowed); to rescind, to revoke.
Retract
To break or fail to keep (a promise, etc.); to renege.
Retract
To take back or withdraw (something that has been said or written); to disavow, to repudiate.
I retract all the accusations I made about the senator and sincerely hope he won’t sue me.
Retract
(games) Originally in chess and now in other games as well: to take back or undo (a move); specifically (card games) to take back or withdraw (a card which has been played).
Retract
(intransitive)
Retract
To decline or fail to do something promised; to break one's word.
Retract
Of something said or written (such as published academic work): to take back or withdraw.
Retract
To change one's mind after declaring an intention to make a certain move.
Retract
An act of retracting or withdrawing (a mistake, a statement, etc.); a retraction.
Retract
A pulling back, especially (military) of an army or military troops; a pull-back, a retreat; also, a signal for this to be done.
Retract
Synonym of retreat
Retract
To draw back; to draw up or shorten; as, the cat can retract its claws; to retract a muscle.
Retract
To withdraw; to recall; to disavow; to recant; to take back; as, to retract an accusation or an assertion.
I would as freely have retracted this charge of idolatry as I ever made it.
Retract
To take back,, as a grant or favor previously bestowed; to revoke.
Retract
To draw back; to draw up; as, muscles retract after amputation.
Retract
To take back what has been said; to withdraw a concession or a declaration.
She will, and she will not; she grants, denies,Consents, retracts, advances, and then files.
Retract
The pricking of a horse's foot in nailing on a shoe.
Retract
Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure;
He retracted his earlier statements about his religion
She abjured her beliefs
Retract
Pull away from a source of disgust or fear
Retract
Use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)
Retract
Pull inward or towards a center;
The pilot drew in the landing gear
The cat retracted his claws
Common Curiosities
Does rescinding a decision always require legal action?
It can depend on the context, but formal rescindments, especially in legal or contractual matters, often involve legal procedures.
Can a statement be rescinded?
Typically, statements are retracted rather than rescinded, as rescindment is more about revoking decisions or agreements.
Is retracting a statement an admission of error?
Often, yes. Retracting a statement usually acknowledges that it was incorrect or inappropriate.
What's the difference between rescinding and revising a document?
Rescinding means canceling it entirely, whereas revising means making changes or amendments without canceling.
What legal protections exist for retracted statements?
Retraction laws can offer protection against defamation lawsuits if the retraction is issued promptly and appropriately.
Are there any penalties for not retracting a false statement?
Depending on the jurisdiction and context, there may be legal or reputational consequences for failing to retract a false statement.
What does it mean to rescind a contract?
Rescinding a contract means officially canceling it, usually due to breach or mutual agreement to terminate.
Can a law be retracted?
Laws are usually rescinded or repealed, not retracted, as retracting is more appropriate for statements or publications.
How does rescinding affect contractual obligations?
Rescinding a contract nullifies it, releasing all parties from their obligations under that contract.
What are the consequences of retracting a statement in the media?
The primary consequence is often related to the credibility of the source or individual retracting the statement.
How is a retraction typically communicated?
Through the same medium as the original statement or through official channels, such as a press release or a formal announcement.
Can anyone retract a public statement?
Yes, anyone who has made a public statement has the capacity to retract it, typically to correct a mistake or clarify their position.
Is it common for scientific studies to be retracted?
While not common, studies are retracted when significant errors or misconduct are discovered, to maintain scientific integrity.
Does retracting a statement restore credibility?
It can, especially if the retraction is handled transparently and responsibly, acknowledging the error.
Can a decision be partially rescinded?
Yes, in some cases, only certain parts of a decision or agreement may be rescinded, while others remain in effect.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Persephone vs. Kore
Next Comparison
Vessel vs. ShipAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
