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 Others have recanted and said police coerced them into implicating Washington and Simms. — John Annese, New York Daily News, 22 May 2026 Bourgerie noted that Ball’s wife later recanted her allegations and that Ball had been named deputy of the year for the Archuleta County Sheriff’s Office in 2025. — Shelly Bradbury, Denver Post, 8 May 2026 In addition, investigators working for Duncan’s legal team interviewed a jailhouse informant who recanted his earlier trial testimony that Duncan had confessed to the crime. — Richard A. Webster, ProPublica, 29 June 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

As soon as the error was realized, the story was retracted and removed from NPR’s website and an on-air correction was broadcast.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 June 2026
At least one publication—Vox—followed NPR’s reporting and also had to retract a story.

— Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 30 June 2026

Definition of retract

Verb

What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026
If the Lakers renounce all their free agents except for Reaves, hacking their books with machete, the team would have Dončić, Jared Vanderbilt, Jake LaRavia, Dalton Knecht, Bronny James (partial guarantee) and Adou Theiro under contract.

— Dan Woike, New York Times, 21 June 2026

Definition of renounce

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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 8 Jul. 2026.

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