RECANT Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'recant' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of recant are abjure , forswear , renounce , and retract . While all these words mean "to withdraw one's word or professed belief," recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught. // if they recant they will be spared

Q: In what contexts can 'abjure' take the place of 'recant'?

While the synonyms abjure and recant are close in meaning, abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath. // abjured the errors of his former faith

Q: When would 'forswear' be a good substitute for 'recant'?

The words forswear and recant can be used in similar contexts, but forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal. // I cannot forswear my principles

Q: When is it sensible to use 'renounce' instead of 'recant'?

Although the words renounce and recant have much in common, renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown. // renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

Q: When is 'retract' a more appropriate choice than 'recant'?

While in some cases nearly identical to recant , retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation. // the newspaper had to retract the story

recant

verb

ri-ˈkant

Definition of recant

as in to retract

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

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How is the word recant different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of recant are abjure, forswear, renounce, and retract. While all these words mean "to withdraw one's word or professed belief," recant stresses the withdrawing or denying of something professed or taught.

if they recant they will be spared

In what contexts can abjure take the place of recant?

While the synonyms abjure and recant are close in meaning, abjure implies a firm and final rejecting or abandoning often made under oath.

abjured the errors of his former faith

When would forswear be a good substitute for recant?

The words forswear and recant can be used in similar contexts, but forswear may add an implication of perjury or betrayal.

I cannot forswear my principles

When is it sensible to use renounce instead of recant?

Although the words renounce and recant have much in common, renounce may carry the meaning of disclaim or disown.

renounced abstract art and turned to portrait painting

When is retract a more appropriate choice than recant?

While in some cases nearly identical to recant, retract applies to the withdrawing of a promise, an offer, or an accusation.

the newspaper had to retract the story

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of recant At least three people were arrested and police said at least four others have recanted. — Aj Willingham, AJC.com, 17 June 2026 Jalonni, who was the primary suspect, allegedly convinced Raechyl to have their daughter recant the allegation. — Samira Asma-Sadeque, PEOPLE, 8 June 2026 Others have recanted and said police coerced them into implicating Washington and Simms. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026 However, the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office ultimately dropped charges against Santana after the 17-year-old accuser recanted his statements to prosecutors, television interviewers and on social media, according to court records. — Verónica Egui Brito, Miami Herald, 14 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for recant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant

Verb

The study was found to be fraudulent; eventually, it was retracted entirely.

— Ruby Cramer, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026
So far, no cinema chains have seemingly gone along with the boycott (NewsCord falsely reported one was going to ban the film, then retracted the claim).

— James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

Know More Andrews wants the party to embrace term limits and renounce congressional stock trading and corporate contributions.

— Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 3 Sep. 2026
Eric Lai, a senior fellow with the Georgetown Center for Asian Law, said every actor in Hong Kong civil society who assumed that renouncing violence and working within the law would be fine has to revise that assumption.

— Kanis Leung, Los Angeles Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of renounce

Verb

When combined with a hot blanket of the humidity the city has endured throughout the summer, players could be forced to withdraw from their matches or push through, risking injury.

— Aaron Short, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
Although the proposal will remain on Thursday’s agenda because of the 72-hour posting requirement, Kayatta said it will effectively be withdrawn during the meeting with authorization from Board President Tara Jeane.

— Chaewon Chung, Sacbee.com, 3 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdraw

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recamiers

recant

recantation

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“Recant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recant. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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