recant
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /rɪˈkænt/
KK: /rɪˈkænt/
intransitive verb
Definition
To formally take back or withdraw a statement or belief that one previously held.
Example
After much consideration, she decided to recant her earlier statement about the incident.
Tense Forms
Past: recanted
Past Participle: recanted
Conversation
Did you hear that he decided to recant his earlier statement?
Yeah, I was surprised he changed his mind so quickly.
I wonder what made him recant after all this time.
Maybe he realized it wasn't the right thing to say.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
retract
withdraw
disavow
Antonyms
affirm
assert
maintain
transitive verb
Definition
To formally take back or withdraw a statement or belief that one has previously expressed or committed to.
Example
After much consideration, she decided to recant her earlier statement about the incident.
Tense Forms
Past: recanted
Past Participle: recanted
Conversation
Did you hear that he decided to recant his previous statement?
Yeah, I was surprised when I found out.
I wonder what made him change his mind like that.
Root Explanation
Recant → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "cantare" (meaning to sing). The word means to sing again, but in a more specific context, it refers to withdrawing a statement or belief, as if one is retracting what was previously 'sung' or stated.
Memory Tip
Think of someone 'singing again' ('re-') to take back what they said before. This helps you remember that to recant means to withdraw a previous statement.
Visually Confused Words
rechant
precant
recusant
recubant
recreant
reactant
secant
rescan