recant

Synonym Chooser

How is the word recant different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of recant are abjure, forswear, renounce, and retract. While all these words mean "to withdraw one's word or professed belief," recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

In what contexts can abjure take the place of recant?

While the synonyms abjure and recant are close in meaning, abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

When would forswear be a good substitute for recant?

The words forswear and recant can be used in similar contexts, but forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

When is it sensible to use renounce instead of recant?

Although the words renounce and recant have much in common, renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

When is retract a more appropriate choice than recant?

While in some cases nearly identical to recant, retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

Examples Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of recant Ivana recanted a rape allegation against Trump in 2015. Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 20 Nov. 2024 At the time, Twitter management called that an application of rules against sharing private information and hacked materials, but then-CEO Jack Dorsey quickly recanted it. Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 27 Sep. 2024 Because church doctrine held that Earth was the center of the universe, the Inquisition compelled the astronomer Galileo to recant his belief that our planet orbits the sun. Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024 Taking out that person would cause the second witness to recant his statement, the letter said. Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for recant 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant
Verb
  • Share [Findings] The Journal of Pediatric Genetics retracted a study on Islamic beliefs concerning the possible supernatural causes of birth defects on the grounds that the research lacked a scientific basis.
    Rafil Kroll-Zaidi, Harper's Magazine, 22 Jan. 2025
  • The big question with this trend is how durable are the internal mechanisms used to retract integrated cables?
    Andrew Liszewski, The Verge, 22 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Moicano stepped in on weigh-in day when Makhachev’s initial opponent, Arman Tsarukyan withdrew with a back injury.
    Trent Reinsmith, Forbes, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Israeli troops are set to withdraw from the populated areas in Gaza.
    Filip Timotija, The Hill, 18 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • On June 14, 2024, Putin said Ukraine must also renounce any plans to join NATO.
    Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
  • While the headlines are filled with stories of companies scaling back or renouncing DEI efforts, more may be following Costco’s playbook.
    Megan Poinski, Forbes, 6 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near recant

Cite this Entry

“Recant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recant. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on recant

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