Synonyms of recant

recant

verb

ri-ˈkant 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• retract
• withdraw
• renounce
• deny
• contradict
• refute
• abandon
• forswear
• relinquish
• abjure
• repeal
• repudiate
• renege
• take back
• foreswear
• unsay
• recall
• disavow
• abnegate
• disown
• gainsay
• forsake
• disclaim
• disprove
• controvert
• spurn
• rebut
• revoke
• negate
• disagree (with)
• surrender
• backtrack
• negative
• dispute
• give up
• back down
• disallow
• back off
• bolt

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• admit
• acknowledge
• claim
• maintain
• affirm
• declare
• assert
• contend
• adhere (to)
• proclaim
• state
• defend
• profess
• confirm
• support
• accept
• endorse
• uphold
• adopt
• avow
• back
• vow
• vouch
• embrace
• indorse
• espouse

Synonym Chooser

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

Recent Examples of recant

In 2014, Webb recanted his testimony from Willingham’s trial. —Monica Mercuri, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025

They weren’t exonerated by newfound evidence, DNA results or recanted testimony establishing innocence. —Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 11 Feb. 2025

In 2007, the other girl recanted her allegations against Barriault, and the criminal charges were dropped. —Emilia Otte, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025

Those platforms almost immediately recanted those moves, which in Twitter’s case had included temporarily locking the Post’s account. —Rob Pegoraro, PCMAG, 21 Feb. 2025