A motor control apparatus controlling a motor driving a machine tool includes, an abnormal load detecting unit that detects an abnormal load by monitoring a load of the motor, a retract amount storing unit that stores a plurality of retract amounts used when the machine tool performs a retract operation in response to detection of an abnormal load by the abnormal load detecting unit, a retract amount switching unit that switches a retract amount selected from the plurality of retract amounts in accordance with a result of determination of whether the machine tool is processing or not, and a retract amount adding unit that adds a retract amount selected by switching of the retract amount switching unit to an instruction value indicative of a movement amount of the machine tool.