Retract

1. verb

   formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure

   “He retracted his earlier statements about his religion”

   Similar: abjure, recant, forswear, resile

2. verb

   pull away from a source of disgust or fear

   Similar: shrink back

3. verb

   use a surgical instrument to hold open (the edges of a wound or an organ)

   Similar: pull back, draw back