recant

verb
UK: /rɪˈkænt/
US: /rɪˈkænt/

  1. To say that you no longer believe something you used to.

    1. He had to recant his statement.
    2. After evidence emerged, the scientist had to recant his original theory about the disease.

  2. To publicly take back something you said or wrote.

    1. She will recant what she said.
    2. Under pressure, the witness was forced to recant his testimony during the trial.

Synonyms

backtrack repudiate reverse repeal nullify rescind invalidate revoke vacate abjure negate disavow cancel unsay countermand disclaim overrule take back overturn withdraw recapture retract

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "recant" in English means: To say that you no longer believe something you used to., To publicly take back something you said or wrote..

The phonetic transcription of "recant" is /rɪˈkænt/ in British English and /rɪˈkænt/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "recant": backtrack, repudiate, reverse, repeal, nullify, rescind, invalidate, revoke, vacate, abjure, negate, disavow, cancel, unsay, countermand, disclaim, overrule, take back, overturn, withdraw, recapture, retract.

Example usage of "recant": "He had to recant his statement.". More examples on the page.