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Recanted: meaning, definitions and examples

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recanted

 

[ rɪˈkæntɪd ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

legal context

To recant means to withdraw or retract a statement, belief, or opinion that one has previously held. This term is often used in legal situations where a witness may change their testimony. Recanting can occur in various contexts including religion, science, and politics, usually implying a significant change in one’s convictions or statements. Recanting can also suggest a form of disavowal, where an individual no longer supports a particular ideology or stance.

Synonyms

disavow, renounce, retract, take back, withdraw

Examples of usage

  • The witness recanted their earlier statement.
  • Many have recanted their previous beliefs after new evidence emerged.
  • She decided to recant her accusations publicly.
  • The scientist recanted his findings after further research.

Translations

Translations of the word "recanted" in other languages:

🇵🇹 renunciado

🇮🇳 वापस लिया हुआ

🇩🇪 widerrufen

🇮🇩 dicabut

🇺🇦 відкликаний

🇵🇱 odwołany

🇯🇵 撤回された

🇫🇷 révoqué

🇪🇸 revocado

🇹🇷 geri alınmış

🇰🇷 철회된

🇸🇦 ملغى

🇨🇿 odvolaný

🇸🇰 odvolaný

🇨🇳 撤回的

🇸🇮 preklican

🇮🇸 afturkallaður

🇰🇿 кері қайтарылған

🇬🇪 გაუქმებული

🇦🇿 geri götürülmüş

🇲🇽 revocado

Word origin

The word 'recant' originates from the Latin 'recantare', which is composed of 're-' meaning 'back' and 'cantare' meaning 'to sing'. Thus, the term can be understood as 'to sing back' or 'to take back what was said'. The concept of recantation has roots in religious practices, particularly during the Inquisition, when individuals were pressured to recant their beliefs or face severe consequences. Over time, the term evolved to encompass a broader range of contexts, including science and law, where it denotes the act of formally withdrawing a statement or belief. In modern usage, to recant can signify a shift in ideology or acknowledgment of one's previous errors, often highlighting the complexity of human belief and the influence of new information. The act of recanting can be both personal and public, reflecting a significant moment in an individual's ideological journey.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,335 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.