recant
verb (used with object)
to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), especially formally; retract.
recanted
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past participleof recant.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
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past tense formof recant.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
recantverb (used with object)to withdraw or disavow (a statement, opinion, etc.), especially formally; retract.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
His guilt and the evidence on which he was convicted have been questioned over the years - namely after witnesses recanted their statements and another inmate later confessed to the murder.
From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026
Prevez later recanted the confession, his lawyer said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 22, 2026
Capitalwatch has now recanted the entire report, the publisher told Barron’s, adding that it would issue “no more news updates” about AppLovin.
From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026
Three days later, he recanted that confession and spent the rest of his life professing his innocence, claiming that he was made a patsy for the real assassin, a man he called “Raoul.”
From Slate ● Dec. 1, 2025
We now knew that because Myers had recanted his accusations against Walter before the trial, the State might not be entirely surprised to hear that he was denying McMillian's involvement in the crime.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
