recant

[ ri-kant ]

/ rɪˈkænt /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for recant on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), especially formally; retract.

verb (used without object)

to withdraw or disavow a statement, opinion, etc., especially formally.

OTHER WORDS FOR recant

1 revoke, recall, rescind, deny.

See synonyms for recant on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ

There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!

Question 1 of 7

True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of recant

1525–35; <Latin recantāre to sing back, sing again, equivalent to re-re- + cantāre, frequentative of canere to sing; cf. chant

OTHER WORDS FROM recant

re·can·ta·tion

[ree-kan-tey-shuhn], /ˌri kænˈteɪ ʃən/, nounre·cant·er, nounre·cant·ing·ly, adverbun·re·cant·ed, adjective

un·re·cant·ing, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH recant

recant , recount

Words nearby recant

recalescence, recalibrate, recall, Recamier, recanalization, recant, recap, recapitalization, recapitalize, recapitulate, recapitulation

How to use recant in a sentence

Baltimore’s recant hasn’t changed a thing, Wade argues, writing to the Los Angeles Times’ Hiltzik that he believes “the totality of the quote” still supports his case.
When a Good Scientist Is the Wrong Source - Issue 102: Hidden Truths|Thomas Levenson|June 23, 2021|Nautilus
There are still many open questions around the situation — like if Apple was aware of García Martínez’s writing, if he was terminated or willingly resigned, and if he was given a chance to recant his earlier stated views before leaving.
How angry Apple employees’ petition led to a controversial new hire’s departure|Shirin Ghaffary|May 14, 2021|Vox
So if Newsom’s supporters can convince enough recall signatories to recant by June 8, he can avoid a referendum.
California Voters Should Start Preparing For A Recall Election|Nathaniel Rakich (nathaniel.rakich@fivethirtyeight.com)|May 4, 2021|FiveThirtyEight
A claim made by a postal worker in Pennsylvania about ballots being tampered with was later recanted.
If there is any real evidence of fraud, Mr. President, it’s time to put up|Philip Bump|November 28, 2020|Washington Post

The board of overseers found out that Carey offered her a nondisclosure agreement to recant the testimony in exchange for the title to his car and $1,000.
Maine Hires Lawyers With Criminal Records to Defend Its Poorest Residents|by Samantha Hogan, The Maine Monitor, with data analysis by Agnel Philip|October 6, 2020|ProPublica
However, she has since refused to recant her story and stands by her original claim.
Somalia Jails Woman and Journalist Over Soldier Rape Claims|Laila Ali|February 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST
A great opinion prevailed that he was about to recant; others thought that he wanted further time.
Fox's Book of Martyrs|John Foxe
It was not too late, he would recant, and go back and enter the Church, and become a great and powerful prelate.
Robert Annys: Poor Priest|Annie Nathan Meyer
He shall do this; or else I do recant The pardon that I late pronouncèd here.
The Ontario Readers: The High School Reader, 1886|Ministry of Education
He was required to recant, to abjure the doctrines he had taught; not in private, but publicly before the world.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume VI|John Lord
He did not like the idea of being alone, and if he did not formally recant in so many words, he did so by his actions.
Down the Rhine|Oliver Optic

British Dictionary definitions for recant

recant

/ (rɪˈkænt) /

verb

to repudiate or withdraw (a former belief or statement), esp formally in public

Derived forms of recant

recantation (ˌriːkænˈteɪʃən), nounrecanter, noun

Word Origin for recant

C16: from Latin recantāre to sing again, from re- + cantāre to sing; see chant

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

recant

OTHER WORDS FOR recant

Origin of recant

OTHER WORDS FROM recant

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH recant

Words nearby recant

Words related to recant

How to use recant in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for recant

Derived forms of recant

Word Origin for recant