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 Now, Carter is submitting a new appeal after Jane Doe fully recanted her claims last week. — Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 29 Sep. 2026 Judge Carl Weimer vacated the conviction after the only witness tying Wolfe to the shooting recanted his testimony, and Wolfe agreed to a plea deal on marijuana and robbery charges for a sentence of time served. — ABC News, 29 Sep. 2026 Now with Jane Doe recanting her claims, Carter’s attorneys have filed a notice to the judge, dismissing all claims against her — though their case against her former attorney, Buzbee, still stands. — Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2026 Over the years, questions about the evidence against Smith emerged as a witness recanted, Lowden repudiated his earlier statement implicating Smith, and another man claimed responsibility for Hart's killing. — Landon Mion, FOXNews.com, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant

Verb

To be more explicit, the owners, as represented by the league, will not retract their salary cap proposal simply because we are now guaranteed a low-payroll team will win the World Series.

— Hannah Keyser, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026
In warmer months, the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows between dining room and terrace retracts such that the whole place is open to the warm breeze coming off the water.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

Although economic espionage is not without risk, unilaterally renouncing the practice in the current global environment is far more dangerous.

— DAVID S. COHEN, Foreign Affairs, 8 Oct. 2026
China claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory and has never renounced the use of force to achieve unification.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026

Definition of renounce

Verb

The Republican governor did not provide a reason for withdrawing Thompson’s death warrant but had temporarily stayed his execution last month pending a psychiatric evaluation.

— ABC News, ABC News, 13 Oct. 2026
According to online court records, two of the three cases were settled and one was withdrawn.

— Audrey McGlinchy, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 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 20 Oct. 2026.

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