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recuse

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /rɪˈkjuːz/

KK: /rɪˈkjuz/

transitive verb
Definition

To remove oneself from participation in a decision due to bias or personal interest.


Example

The judge decided to recuse herself from the case to avoid any conflict of interest.


Tense Forms

Past: recused

Past Participle: recused


Conversation
Sloth A
Did you hear about the judge who had to recuse himself from the case?
Sloth B
Yeah, I read that it was because of a conflict of interest.
Sloth A
It's important for fairness, right?
Sloth B
Absolutely, it helps maintain trust in the legal system.

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
disqualify
exclude
remove
Antonyms
include
permit
allow
Root Explanation

Recuse → It is formed from "re-" (meaning again) and "causa" (meaning cause or reason). The word refers to the act of rejecting or disqualifying oneself from a case or cause, typically due to a conflict of interest.

Memory Tip

Think of someone stepping back from a situation 'again' ('re-') because of a 'cause' ('causa') that makes them unable to participate.

Visually Confused Words
recluse
reuse
recourse
reaccuse
precurse
retuse
rescue
refuse
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