recant

[ri-kant]

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.

Origin of recant

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

Related formsre·can·ta·tion

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

Can be confusedrecant recount

Synonyms for recant

1. revoke, recall, rescind, deny.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for recanted

annul, revoke, backtrack, repudiate, contradict, renounce, disavow, renege, retract, disown, rescind, disclaim, deny, abnegate, welsh, recall, void, abjure, countermand, nullify

Examples from the Web for recanted

Contemporary Examples of recanted

It was the second time he recanted on campaign-finance reforms.
‘Oops,’ First Debate, ‘47 Percent’ & More 2012 Election Turning Points
Mark McKinnon
November 6, 2012
Nearly 10 years after her accusation of rape sent her father to prison, Casandra Kennedy recanted.
Casandra Kennedy Recants Rape Charge Against Her Father, Freed After 9 Years
Winston Ross
April 10, 2012
Days later, he fired his lawyer, Percy Foreman and recanted, saying that a mysterious man named Raoul set him up.
Did the Klan Kill MLK? A New Book Argues Wide Conspiracy
R.M. Schneiderman
April 4, 2012
This is the second time Obama has recanted on campaign-finance reforms.
Obama’s Super PAC Hypocrisy: Giving Blessing to Priorities USA Action
Mark McKinnon
February 8, 2012
Some of the above have recanted their early support of the war.
Liberals Sold the Iraq War
Michael Moore
September 15, 2010

Historical Examples of recanted

If he recanted, he was absolved; if he persisted, he was at worst excommunicated.
Short Studies on Great Subjects
James Anthony Froude
He was restored to his pleasant quarters in Newgate, and recanted his recantation.
The Valet's Tragedy and Other Stories
Andrew Lang
Sigismund hounded on the prelates to make an end of Hus, even if he recanted.
John Hus
William Dallmann
Kennedy at the first was faynt, and glaidly wald have recanted.
The Works of John Knox, Vol. 1 (of 6)
John Knox
It came five years too late, and he recanted his recantation.
Great Men and Famous Women. Vol. 5 of 8
Various

British Dictionary definitions for recanted

recant

verb

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

Derived Formsrecantation (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

Word Origin and History for recanted

recant

1530s, from Latin recantare "recall, revoke," from re- "back" (see re-) + cantare "to chant" (see chant (v.)). A word from the Reformation. Loan-translation of Greek palinoidein "recant," from palin "back" + oeidein "to sing." Related: Recanted; recanting.