as in retracting
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
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Recent Examples of recanting
But in 1999, the four men were arrested, with Springsteen and Scott confessing and later recanting, according to the AP.
—
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Campbell also dismissed the third eyewitness recanting her testimony, saying there's no evidence of tampering during the trial.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
Lunsford ended up recanting his statement when questioned again, this time by a district attorney’s investigator.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
However, in a 2024 court filing known as a coram nobis petition, Zachary Adams revealed Autry was recanting his testimony and asked for a new trial.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 19 Feb. 2026
Campbell also dismissed the third eyewitness recanting her testimony, saying there's no evidence of tampering during the trial.
—Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 26 Jan. 2026
Lunsford ended up recanting his statement when questioned again, this time by a district attorney’s investigator.
—Tony Saavedra, Oc Register, 17 Sep. 2025
However, in a 2024 court filing known as a coram nobis petition, Zachary Adams revealed Autry was recanting his testimony and asked for a new trial.
—Julia Bonavita, FOXNews.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recanting
Verb
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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said in a recall notice that the seat belts in certain Expedition and Lincoln vehicles may inadvertently lock, preventing the belt from retracting or extending.—
Mary Cunningham,
CBS News,
3 June 2026
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The Salton Sea has been retracting as the climate has become hotter, leaving behind pesticides and fertilizers in toxic dust from the multibillion-dollar local agricultural industry that blow through our communities, contributing to the asthma crisis facing our children.—
Daniela Flores,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
2 June 2026
Verb
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Corbett, of Palatine, announced his independent candidacy days after renouncing the current state of the Republican Party and dropping his consulting business work with GOP contenders.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
3 June 2026
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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There is no penalty for withdrawing funds after 65 for non-medical expenses, but the withdrawals will be taxable.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 June 2026
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Israel’s military will continue to carry out operations in Lebanon for the time being and will not be withdrawing from the country, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday, despite the announcement of a new ceasefire.—
David Hickey,
NBC news,
4 June 2026
Verb
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There’s no denying the enduring glamour of this grande dame, whose secluded locale at the tip of the Cap is as much a draw for the jet set as the intimate cabanas where Greta Garbo once retreated and the saltwater infinity pool carved into the cliffs.—
Lane Nieset,
Travel + Leisure,
13 June 2026
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There’s no denying that the Sym TTLBT competes in the premium maxi-scooter segment against the likes of the Kymco AK 550i, Yamaha TMax, and the Honda Forza 750.—
Utkarsh Sood
June 13,
New Atlas,
13 June 2026
Verb
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But his head coach, Mitch Johnson, had a contradicting statement about the situation.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
9 June 2026
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Iran claimed on Thursday that damage to Kuwait’s airport was caused by a malfunctioning US Patriot missile, contradicting Kuwait’s assertion that an Iranian drone struck the facility a day earlier.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Recanting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recanting. Accessed 14 Jun. 2026.
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