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 next

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 Walker later recanted his confession, according to the Innocence Project. —

Deena Zaru, ABC News, 22 Jan. 2026 Vessel sued, and in mid-December the town recanted by authorizing a four-story, 71-unit version. —

Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2026 However, when Sarah's third husband learned of the plot from another daughter and called the FBI, David recanted his confession. —

Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 Jan. 2026 In a 400-page report, the board said that two men who provided key testimony that led to Pippitt's conviction recanted their stories. —

Aki Nace, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for recant

Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant

Verb

The strongback support has retracted for launch.

— Josh Dinner, Space.com, 13 Feb. 2026
AppLovin last month demanded that CapitalWatch, a short seller, retract its 35-page report.

— Scott Schnipper, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026

Definition of retract

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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 16 Feb. 2026.

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Last Updated: 14 Feb 2026 - Updated example sentences

Synonyms of recant

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