Synonyms of recanting

recanting

verb

present participle of recant

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retracting
• renouncing
• withdrawing
• denying
• contradicting
• repealing
• refuting
• abandoning
• abjuring
• relinquishing
• repudiating
• reneging
• forswearing
• taking back
• recalling
• disowning
• abnegating
• disavowing
• disclaiming
• unsaying
• disproving
• forsaking
• rebutting
• controverting
• spurning
• negating
• revoking
• disputing
• backtracking
• surrendering
• disagreeing (with)
• gainsaying
• negativing
• backing down
• disallowing
• giving up
• bolting
• backing off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• stating
• admitting
• claiming
• declaring
• asserting
• acknowledging
• maintaining
• affirming
• proclaiming
• adhering (to)
• contending
• supporting
• professing
• defending
• confirming
• endorsing
• upholding
• accepting
• backing
• adopting
• avowing
• vouching
• vowing
• embracing
• espousing

Example Sentences

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