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 The first victim came forward in 2018, but she was called a liar by the administration at El Crystal and recanted, prosecutors said. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025 However, the case was ultimately dismissed after the accuser recanted her statement and a key witness failed to appear in court. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 19 Mar. 2025 In a statement, Mr. Buzbee pushed back against the contention that the woman had recanted her account of rape. Julia Jacobs, New York Times, 4 Mar. 2025 In 2014, Webb recanted his testimony from Willingham’s trial. Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for recant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant
Verb
  • The paper has since been discredited by health experts, retracted from the journal in which it was published, and its primary author, Andrew Wakefield, lost his medical license.
    Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2025
  • And the rear decklid spoiler extends and retracts at 45 miles an hour—but that’s customizable, as with everything on the car, in the same vein as a 911 restomod from Singer Vehicle Design.
    Michael Teo Van Runkle, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Rather than a gradual strengthening of local capacity as a way of reimagining how the global development industry operates, the Trump administration’s proposals simply withdraw federal support.
    Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
  • American Airlines withdrew its 2025 earnings forecast on Thursday, citing growing economic uncertainty.
    Kate Marijolovic, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In this telling, the blood of Christian martyrs facing lions rather than renouncing their faith eventually transformed the Roman empire.
    John Blake, CNN Money, 20 Apr. 2025
  • Eventually, in 2019, the Business Round Table realized that business based totally on the self-interest of short-term profits was untenable and officially renounced it.
    Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 20 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Recant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recant. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on recant

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