Synonyms of recant

recant

verb

ri-ˈkant 

as in to retract

to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

the Inquisition forced Galileo to recant his support of the Copernican observation that the earth revolves around the sun

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retract
• renounce
• withdraw
• deny
• contradict
• refute
• repeal
• abandon
• forswear
• abjure
• relinquish
• repudiate
• renege
• take back
• unsay
• recall
• disavow
• abnegate
• disown
• gainsay
• forsake
• disclaim
• disprove
• controvert
• spurn
• rebut
• revoke
• negate
• disagree (with)
• surrender
• backtrack
• negative
• dispute
• give up
• back down
• disallow
• back off
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admit
• acknowledge
• claim
• maintain
• affirm
• declare
• assert
• contend
• adhere (to)
• proclaim
• state
• defend
• confirm
• support
• accept
• endorse
• uphold
• adopt
• profess
• avow
• back
• vow
• vouch
• embrace
• espouse

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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of recant

Trump summoned Graham to Mar-a-Lago, and soon afterward Graham recanted his condemnation. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 21 Jan. 2026

Vessel sued, and in mid-December the town recanted by authorizing a four-story, 71-unit version. —Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026

However, when Sarah's third husband learned of the plot from another daughter and called the FBI, David recanted his confession. —Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026

In a 400-page report, the board said that two men who provided key testimony that led to Pippitt's conviction recanted their stories. —Aki Nace, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026