recant
verb
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Definition of recant
: to make an open confession of error
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Other Words from recant
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noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for recant
Synonyms
abjure, forswear (also foreswear), renege, renounce, repeal, repudiate, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw
Antonyms
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Examples of recant in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Prosecutors presented no physical evidence tying Robinson to the crime and two key witnesses recanted statements that Robinson was the killer. — Fox News, "Missouri man to be released after nearly 20 years in prison," 14 May 2018 But the children later recanted some of the stories of abuse after speaking to their mother, Maria Barron said. — Garrett Therolf, latimes.com, "Years of abuse allegations reported at Lancaster home before boy died," 24 June 2018 Attorney Elliot Slosar, who also represents Royer, said DNA evidence, recanted statements by witnesses and accusations of a detective manipulating witnesses amounted to a substantial case for Cooper's pardon. — Mark Alesia, Indianapolis Star, "New evidence in 2002 murder sparks another wrongful conviction claim in Elkhart," 13 June 2018 Moore claimed prosecutors pinned the rape charges on him in retaliation for recanting his statements. — Maya Dukmasova, Chicago Reader, "Hundreds of Illinois prisoners languish behind bars waiting for Dorothy Brown to do her job," 24 May 2018 In the months leading up to trial, two of Noor’s victims recanted. — Aimee Green, OregonLive.com, "Portland child molester gets 12 years despite victims being pressured to recant," 19 Feb. 2018 Last week, Deborah Watts, one of Till’s cousins and a co-founder of the Emmett Till Legacy Foundation, wrote a piece for USA Today calling for the reopening of the investigation after reports that Donham had recanted part of her story. — Jenny Jarvie, latimes.com, "Justice Department reopens Emmett Till case. His killing in 1955 put a spotlight on racial violence," 12 July 2018 Some witnesses have been killed, while others have recanted their testimony. — New York Times, "In Colombian Death Ranch Case, Some Fear Prosecution Will Be Buried," 8 July 2018 That witness, Orlando Lopez, recanted his testimony years later, the Chicago Tribune reported. — Dom Calicchio, Fox News, "Retired Chicago cop invokes Fifth more than 200 times during wrongful conviction case," 13 June 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'recant.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for recant
recant
verb
English Language Learners Definition of recant
: to publicly say that you no longer have an opinion or belief that you once had
See the full definition for recant in the English Language Learners Dictionary
recant
transitive verb
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Legal Definition of recant
: to renounce or withdraw (prior statements or testimony) surprised the prosecution by recanting statements made earlier to the police
: to renounce or withdraw prior statements or testimony
Other Words from recant
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noun
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