Flinched vs Retracted - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between flinched and retracted

is that flinched is past tense of flinch while retracted is past tense of retract.

withdrawn back and in, as the claws of a cat.

(head)

(flinch)

(es)

A reflexive jerking away.

My eye doctor hates the flinch I have every time he tries to get near my eyes.

To make a sudden, involuntary movement in response to a (usually negative) stimulus.

* John Locke

A child, by a constant course of kindness, may be accustomed to bear very rough usage without flinching or complaining.

To dodge (a question), to avoid an unpleasant task or duty

To let the foot slip from a ball, when attempting to give a tight croquet.

(head)

(retract)

(head)

withdrawn back and in, as the claws of a cat

(linguistics) (of a sound ) pronounced further back in the vocal tract