recant

verb

re·​cant ri-ˈkant 

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

ˌrē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Synonyms of recant

• retract
• renounce
• withdraw

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

The men were arrested for the brutal murder of Lisa Kindred in front of her children on Mother’s Day 1999, based on witness testimony that was recanted. —Ray Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Apr. 2026

Hundreds were executed and countless others were forced to recant their faith. —Adam Duxter, CBS News, 23 Apr. 2026

On the night he was arrested, Martinez confessed to shaking Heather and banging her head against a crib, but later recanted that confession. —Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 21 Apr. 2026

Citing such evidence, The New York Times editorial board recently recanted some of its earlier support for legalization. —William Garriott, The Conversation, 17 Apr. 2026

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

Rhymes for recant

• decant
• descant
• eggplant
• enchant
• explant
• implant
• preplant
• replant
• secant
• supplant
• transplant
• ant

Kids Definition

recant

verb

re·​cant ri-ˈkant 

: to take back publicly an opinion or belief

recantation

ˌrē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

noun

Legal Definition

recant

transitive verb

re·​cant ri-ˈkant 

: 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

ˌrē-ˌkan-ˈtā-shən 

noun