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

Example 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 Boles tried to recant his confession to no avail and was convicted at trial of second-degree murder and robbery, receiving a prison term of 20 years to life. Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 10 July 2025 Soudani’s sister and son recanted their statements to the local police about Mr. Soudani’s whereabouts on the night of Helen Soudani’s murder in 1977. Christopher Maag, New York Times, 15 May 2025 During the trial, several witnesses recanted prior statements, alleging threatening, intimidating and coercive efforts by Foster and Brian Forberg, the two detectives assigned to the case. Sam Charles, Chicago Tribune, 19 June 2025 Shortly after, serial killer Ottis Toole reportedly confessed to kidnapping and murdering Adam, later recanting his confession. Stephanie Kaloi, People.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for recant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant
Verb
  • The Daily Beast retracted that story after receiving a letter from the first lady's lawyer challenging its headline and framing.
    Andrew Stanton, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Aug. 2025
  • The steering wheel and pedals retract, ambient light shifts to red and the seat backs emit infrared light.
    Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 14 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Fear of one day having a family member detained or deported is linked with upticks in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a chronic anxiety that leads children and adolescents to avoid school or withdraw from public life, the study said.
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Aug. 2025
  • DuPage County has several ways to pay bills, including electronically by having funds withdrawn from a savings or checking account; by credit card, including Visa, MasterCard or Discover; via a wire transfer; or by having a bank write the check.
    Michelle Mullins, Chicago Tribune, 8 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Boulos, a lawful permanent resident who was born in New York but renounced his U.S. citizenship several years ago, was arrested on July 17 in Palm Beach County on an immigration violation charge and is being held at the Krome detention center.
    Jacqueline Charles, Miami Herald, 31 July 2025
  • China has for decades claimed sovereignty over Taiwan and has never renounced the possible use of force to annex the self-governing island and unify it with the Chinese mainland.
    Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recant. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on recant

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