Recant - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
To recant means to formally withdraw or take back a previous statement, belief, or opinion, often due to realizing it was wrong or under pressure. It implies a public or deliberate retraction.
Definition:
To formally withdraw or disavow a previously held belief or statement.
Synonyms:
retract, renounce, withdraw, disavow
Part of Speech:
verb
Antonyms:
affirm, uphold
Common Collocations:
recant a statement, recant testimony, recant publicly
Derivatives:
recantation, recanter
Usage Tips:
Use "recant" when someone officially takes back something they previously said or believed.
Common Phrases:
forced to recant, publicly recant, recant under pressure
Etymology:
From Latin "recantare," meaning "to sing back" or "revoke."
Examples:
- 1. She decided to recant her earlier confession in court.
- 2. The witness was pressured to recant his testimony but refused.
- 3. He had no choice but to recant his controversial statements publicly.
- 4. Many were surprised when the scientist recanted her theory after new evidence emerged.