recreant
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /ˈrɛkriənt/
KK: /ˈrɛkriənt/
adjective
Definition
Describing someone who is cowardly or unfaithful to their duties or beliefs.
Example
The recreant knight fled the battle, abandoning his comrades.
Conversation
Did you hear about Jake's decision to back out of the project?
Yeah, I can't believe he's being so recreant about it.
It's disappointing, especially since he was so passionate at first.
I know, right? It just feels like he's letting everyone down.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
cowardly
craven
faithless
Antonyms
brave
loyal
steadfast
noun
Definition
A person who is cowardly or unfaithful, often abandoning their duties or responsibilities.
Example
The recreant soldier fled the battlefield, leaving his comrades behind.
Conversation
Did you hear about Mark? He totally bailed on us last weekend.
Yeah, I did. What a recreant move, right?
I can't believe he would just ghost us like that.
Root Explanation
Recreant → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "creare" (meaning to create or make). The word originally described someone who is cowardly or unfaithful, as if they are recreating their allegiance or commitment.
Memory Tip
Think of someone who is 'making' ('creare') a choice 'again' ('re-') to be cowardly or unfaithful, which helps you remember that a recreant is someone who is disloyal or cowardly.
Visually Confused Words
unrecreant
rerent
recent
recant
creant
recurvant
recurrent
recordant