recant

[ri-kant] / rɪˈkænt /

VERB

take back something said

Synonyms

STRONGEST

annul back down back off backtrack contradict disavow disown renege renounce repudiate rescind retract revoke take back

STRONG

abjure abnegate abrogate apostatize cancel countermand deny disclaim forswear nullify recall repeal unsay void withdraw

WEAK

back out call back dial back eat one's words go back on one's word weasel out worm out of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept agree allow approve corroborate go forward

STRONG

acknowledge admit affirm establish pass permit sanction validate

WEAK

confirm emphasize recapitulate

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Baroness Lawrence said: "Any person who expresses views like these and does not recant is an obvious danger to society and must remain in custody."

From BBC • Oct. 7, 2025

Years later, he said he was pressured by the FBI to recant his story.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 15, 2025

Generally, it’s unusual for a cooperating witness to recant testimony years after a trial.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 27, 2024

She withdrew the allegation later, but Trump's biographer points out that her alimony payments were likely in danger if she did not recant.

From Salon • May 1, 2023

I might have this wrong, and that’s why I was going to wait and go through this with you face to face, but I think she wants to recant.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Vocabulary lists containing recant

100 SAT words Beginning with "R"

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Lincoln Inaugural Address (March 1861)

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Just Mercy

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