retract

Verb

• pull inward or towards a center
  • The pilot drew in the landing gear
    
  • The cat retracted his claws
    

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

• pull away from a source of disgust or fear

• formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure
  • He retracted his earlier statements about his religion
    
  • She abjured her beliefs
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  draw in , pull back , draw back , shrink back , abjure , recant , forswear , resile