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

Hitchcock later recanted his confession and said his brother killed Cindy, but he was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026

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

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