Recant
verb
To publicly say that you no longer have a belief or view that you once expressed.
After a thorough investigation, he recanted his confession.
Often appears as...
- recant a statement
- recant a belief
Usage tips
Formal
verb
To publicly say that you no longer have a belief or view that you once expressed.
After a thorough investigation, he recanted his confession.
Often appears as...
- recant a statement
- recant a belief
Usage tips
Formal
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Public Admission
Using 'recant' usually means admitting publicly that a previous statement was wrong.
The politician had to recant his erroneous remarks on live television.
Pro Tip 2/3Change of Heart
'Recant' is used when someone no longer agrees with what they previously said or believed.
The author recanted her previous stance on the issue in her new book.
Pro Tip 3/3Seriousness Implied
The act of recanting is serious and implies a firm and sometimes formal withdrawal.
Under pressure, the witness had to recant his testimony.
Pro Tip 1/3Public Admission
Using 'recant' usually means admitting publicly that a previous statement was wrong.
The politician had to recant his erroneous remarks on live television.
Pro Tip 2/3Change of Heart
'Recant' is used when someone no longer agrees with what they previously said or believed.
The author recanted her previous stance on the issue in her new book.
Pro Tip 3/3Seriousness Implied
The act of recanting is serious and implies a firm and sometimes formal withdrawal.
Under pressure, the witness had to recant his testimony.
Pro Tip 1/3Public Admission
Using 'recant' usually means admitting publicly that a previous statement was wrong.
The politician had to recant his erroneous remarks on live television.
Pro Tip 2/3Change of Heart
'Recant' is used when someone no longer agrees with what they previously said or believed.
The author recanted her previous stance on the issue in her new book.
Pro Tip 3/3Seriousness Implied
The act of recanting is serious and implies a firm and sometimes formal withdrawal.
Under pressure, the witness had to recant his testimony.
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Video examples
Khadijah Tribble: How...
I introduced myself and I said, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a thinker." There was some laughter, some giggles, but it was really the disapproving look on the teacher's face that made me recant. And so I said really quickly,
Video examples
Khadijah Tribble: How...
I introduced myself and I said, "When I grow up, I'm going to be a thinker." There was some laughter, some giggles, but it was really the disapproving look on the teacher's face that made me recant. And so I said really quickly,
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Mark McKinnon
American Businessman
I've slipped on occasion into the realm of irresponsible invective, but I try to avoid it and generally recant when I fall short. Because name-calling does nothing to improve understanding or move the political debate forward.
Quote examples
Robert M. Pirsig
American Philosopher
What I am is a heretic who's recanted and, thereby, in everyone's eyes, saved his soul. Everyone's eyes but one, who knows deep down inside that all he has saved is his skin.
Quote examples
Ann Voskamp
Canadian Author
Giving thanks is that: making the canyon of pain into a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God when Satan and all the world would sneer at us to recant.
Quote examples
Martin Luther
German Leader
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.
Quote examples
Publilius Syrus
Roman Writer
A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.
Quote examples
Mark McKinnon
American Businessman
I've slipped on occasion into the realm of irresponsible invective, but I try to avoid it and generally recant when I fall short. Because name-calling does nothing to improve understanding or move the political debate forward.
Quote examples
Robert M. Pirsig
American Philosopher
What I am is a heretic who's recanted and, thereby, in everyone's eyes, saved his soul. Everyone's eyes but one, who knows deep down inside that all he has saved is his skin.
Quote examples
Ann Voskamp
Canadian Author
Giving thanks is that: making the canyon of pain into a megaphone to proclaim the ultimate goodness of God when Satan and all the world would sneer at us to recant.
Quote examples
Martin Luther
German Leader
I cannot and will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I can do no other, so help me God. Amen.
Quote examples
Publilius Syrus
Roman Writer
A hasty judgment is a first step to recantation.
Example 1 of 5
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