Definition

The act of taking back a statement or belief that one previously held.

Example

After much consideration, she made a recantation of her earlier claims.

Conversation

Did you hear about the recantation from that famous author?

Yeah, I read about it. It's surprising how they changed their stance.

I wonder what prompted such a big recantation after all this time.

Maybe they felt pressured or realized they were wrong.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Recantation → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "cantare" (meaning to sing). The word refers to the act of singing back or withdrawing a statement previously made.

Memory Tip

Think of 'singing back' ('cantare') something you said before, as 're-' means again. This helps you remember that recantation is about taking back a previous statement.

Visually Confused Words