recant

verb

re·​cant ri-ˈkant How to pronounce recant (audio)
recanted; recanting; recants

transitive verb

1
: to withdraw or repudiate (a statement or belief) formally and publicly : renounce
2
: revoke

intransitive verb

: to make an open confession of error
recantation noun
Choose the Right Synonym for recant

abjure, renounce, forswear, recant, retract mean to withdraw one's word or professed belief.

abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

Examples of recant in a Sentence

Church officials asked the minister to recant. Witnesses threatened to recant their testimony when the court released their names to the paper.
Recent Examples on the Web Maybe some have now recanted or moved aside from it. CBS News, 22 Sep. 2024 Threatened with death, he was forced to recant publicly. Sunil Mehta, The Mercury News, 19 Sep. 2024 Ottis Elwood Toole would eventually confess to Adam's murder, but his story was given and recanted many times over the years after the discovery of Adam's murder. Ashlyn Messier, Fox News, 27 July 2024 Even two social media posters, who fanned the flames of the rumor, have since recanted and apologized. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 26 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recant 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'recant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Latin recantare, from re- + cantare to sing — more at chant

First Known Use

1535, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of recant was in 1535

Dictionary Entries Near recant

Cite this Entry

“Recant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/recant. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

recant

verb
re·​cant ri-ˈkant How to pronounce recant (audio)
: to take back publicly an opinion or belief
recantation noun

Legal Definition

recant

transitive verb
re·​cant ri-ˈkant How to pronounce recant (audio)
: to renounce or withdraw (prior statements or testimony)
surprised the prosecution by recanting statements made earlier to the police

intransitive verb

: to renounce or withdraw prior statements or testimony
recantation noun

More from Merriam-Webster on recant

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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