Recant means to officiallyin a formal or authorized way, not casually say that you no longer believe something you previously said or believed, often because of pressureforce or strong influence that makes someone do something or after reconsideringthinking about something again in order to change a decision it.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /rɪˈkænt/
Easy pronunciation: ri-KANT (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress the second syllable: KANT.
Verb meaning to formally reject or disavow a previously held belief, statement, or opinion.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Recant Meaning
to say you no longer believe something you once said or believed
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to formally reject or disavow a belief, statement, or opinion previously held, usually under pressure
Example: Under pressure from the authorities, he recanted his earlier statement.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- retract — A close fit when withdrawing a statement or claim, though recant often involves a belief or confession as well.
- abjure — Works in formal contexts for renouncing a belief or allegiance.
- forswear — Can mean to renounce something formally, especially a belief or habit.
- resile — Can mean to withdraw from a position or statement, but is less common and more formal.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Recant Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- retract
- abjure
- forswear
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Recant is usually used for beliefs, claims, confessions, or statements, not for simply changing your mind about everyday preferences.
- It is more formal than words like 'take back' or 'change your mind'.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does recant mean in simple English?
It means to say that you no longer believe or stand by something you previously said or believed.
Is recant the same as retract?
They are close, but recant usually suggests rejecting a belief or statement, often publicly or under pressure, while retract is broader and can be used for taking back a statement or claim.
What part of speech is recant?
Recant is a verb.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-19. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.