recuse

[ ri-kyooz ]

verb (used with object),re·cused, re·cus·ing.

to reject or challenge (a judge, juror, or attorney) as disqualified to act in a particular case, especially because of potential conflict of interest or bias.
to disqualify or withdraw (oneself or another person) from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid the appearance of personal interest or bias: The senator has recused himself from the vote because of his prior association with the company.

verb (used without object),re·cused, re·cus·ing.

to withdraw from any position of judging or decision-making so as to avoid a semblance of personal interest or bias.

Origin of recuse

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English recusen, from Middle French recuser, and from Latin recūsāre “to demur, object”; see recusant

Other words from recuse

re·cu·sal, noun
rec·u·sa·tion [rek-yoo-zey-shuhn], /ˌrɛk yʊˈzeɪ ʃən/, noun

Words Nearby recuse

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use recuse in a sentence

Not only has the Miami native green-lit the suppression of roughly 85,000 votes in the Sunshine State, but critics also say she should have recused herself from the case altogether due to her past work as a judge.
Barbara Lagoa Critics Take Aim At Record Of Voter Suppression | Yesha | September 25, 2020 | Essence.com
According to the Washington Post, last year when Lagoa was confirmed to the federal bench, she promised to recuse herself from any case where her impartiality could be called into question.
Barbara Lagoa Critics Take Aim At Record Of Voter Suppression | Yesha | September 25, 2020 | Essence.com
Generally, though, she said, Council members and their staffs must recuse themselves from any decision involving a prospective employer, to ensure their motives are genuine and they’re working to advance the city’s interests alone.
Barrios Worked With Laborers as a Council Staffer Before Taking a Job There | Andrew Keatts and Jesse Marx | September 24, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The law requires city officials to recuse themselves the moment they connect with an employer about a potential opportunity.
Barrios Worked With Laborers as a Council Staffer Before Taking a Job There | Andrew Keatts and Jesse Marx | September 24, 2020 | Voice of San Diego
The report observed that a board member could “insist on participating” in a case, even when the ethics officer has determined that the member should be recused.
“Cover Up”: House Democrats Subpoena Documents That NLRB Refused to Share in Ethics Investigation | by Ian MacDougall | September 15, 2020 | ProPublica

Doing so makes it unnecessary for judges to decide themselves whether to recuse.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer | Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity | April 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Through letters to the involved parties, she admitted to failing to recuse herself in all five of the cases.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer | Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity | April 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The judge said the royalty payment did not require him to recuse himself, according to 10th Circuit Clerk of Court Betsy Shumaker.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer | Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity | April 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
The decision on whether to recuse is ultimately up to the judge.
Law-Breaking Judges Took Cases That Could Make Them Even Richer | Reity O’Brien, Kytja Weir, Chris Young, Center for Public Integrity | April 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Cuccinelli has been called on to recuse himself and his office from the case.
Virginia Republicans’ One-Two Punch of Financial Scandals | Caitlin Dickson | April 2, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Or he may recuse the judge, which should be referred to the Suprema and not to arbiters, who cause much delay.
A History of the Inquisition of Spain; vol. 3 | Henry Charles Lea
Boccaccio must have been a clever fellow to write both argument and story; I am not, et je me recuse.
Vailima Letters | Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for recuse

recuse

/ (rəˈkjuːz, rɪˈkjuːz) /

verbUS, Canadian and Southern African

(tr; reflexive) to remove from participation in a court case due to potential prejudice or partiality

Origin of recuse

C19: see recusant

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

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