as in to retract
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
the Inquisition forced Galileo to recant his support of the Copernican observation that the earth revolves around the sun
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Recent Examples of recant
For one, his stats came directly from DOGE (which has recanted several claims).
—
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
In addition to Webb recanting his testimony that Willingham confessed to him, the Chicago Tribune consulted fire experts in 2004 who claimed that the arson theories used were outdated and had been disproven by new scientific advancements.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
The effort was later recanted after the premier met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
The first victim came forward in 2018, but she was called a liar by the administration at El Crystal and recanted, prosecutors said.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recant
Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 Mar. 2025
In addition to Webb recanting his testimony that Willingham confessed to him, the Chicago Tribune consulted fire experts in 2004 who claimed that the arson theories used were outdated and had been disproven by new scientific advancements.
—Emily Blackwood, People.com, 27 Feb. 2025
The effort was later recanted after the premier met with Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
—Ashleigh Fields, The Hill, 28 Mar. 2025
The first victim came forward in 2018, but she was called a liar by the administration at El Crystal and recanted, prosecutors said.
—Jason Green, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for recant
Recent Examples of Synonyms for recant
Verb
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In her announcement, Dhillon said the department would retract accusations made under the Biden administration that the departments violated either Floyd’s or Taylor’s constitutional rights.—
Marc Ramirez,
USA Today,
22 May 2025
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Startling cell phone video shows a first responder on a ladder trying to help victims when the extended top half of the ladder appears to retract as the victim comes tumbling out of the widow.—
Emma Seiwell,
New York Daily News,
20 May 2025
Verb
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Macron made the remarks as the U.S. is considering withdrawing troops from Europe to shift them to the Indo-Pacific.—
DAVID RISING,
Arkansas Online,
31 May 2025
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President Trump plans to withdraw his nomination of Jared Isaacman, a billionaire entrepreneur and close associate of Elon Musk’s, who was on track to be the next NASA administrator.—
Jonathan Swan,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 May 2025
Verb
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The handsome and charismatic Lord Edward Fitzgerald, an Anglican son of a duke, renounced his title and commanded the society’s militia.—
Joseph Patrick Kelly,
The Conversation,
20 May 2025
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Saxon is all about getting off, and Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) is renouncing the materialistic.—
Dory Jackson,
People.com,
5 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Recant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/recant. Accessed 3 Jun. 2025.
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