recantation

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "recantation" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to the act of formally withdrawing or retracting a statement or belief, often in a legal or religious context. Example: "The defendant's recantation of his earlier testimony surprised the court and changed the course of the trial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

She recanted her accusation and then recanted her recantation.

The Economist

He then recanted his recantation, but admitted to a journalist that "It's very possible I misunderstood what [Willingham] said".

The Economist

But Willingham's lawyer was not informed of this development, and soon afterward Webb, without explanation, recanted his recantation.

The New Yorker

Then, in the words of New Yorker reporter David Grann, he "recanted his recantation".

The New York Times

Luther was given 60 days upon receiving the bull to recant and another 60 days to report his recantation to Rome.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But, refreshing though the recantation was, as a justification for the rest of Hewitt's proposals it is far less important than the radical spirit on which they are built.

The Guardian

Their recantation gives him good cover.

The Guardian - Opinion

One of the main ideologues of the Islamic Jihad movement Sayed al-Shareef, better known as Doctor Fadl has produced an elaborate recantation of his extremist views.

The Economist

The feeling that Islam is "under threat" in many parts of the world is arguably a politically motivated cry of victimhood rather than a statement about the meaning of sacred texts.Even the al-Shareef recantation, like those of the Jamaa Islamiya, seems to accept the legitimacy in principle of violent jihad in defence of the faith.

The Economist

In one celebrated recantation, an austere American, B.H. Haggin, suddenly decided that Brahms was a total sham.

The Economist

He had not only pleaded guilty, but also recanted, having, he said, in the meantime read the diaries of Adolf Eichmann, an SS officer who was a top organiser of the Holocaust.That recantation infuriated his supporters among the kooks and thugs of the neo-Nazi right.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "recantation" when you specifically want to emphasize a formal and often public withdrawal of a previously held belief or statement, especially in contexts involving legal, religious or political matters.

Common error

Avoid using "recantation" when a simple correction or clarification is sufficient. "Recantation" implies a significant and deliberate change of heart, not just a minor adjustment of details.

Linguistic Context

The word "recantation" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the act of formally withdrawing or retracting a statement or belief. This is evident in the examples provided by Ludwig, where it's used to describe specific instances of retraction, often in legal or religious contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Encyclopedias

43%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "recantation" is a noun that signifies the act of formally withdrawing a previously held statement or belief. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in the context of news, media and encyclopedias. When writing, reserve its usage for instances where a formal and public retraction is intended. To avoid misuse, consider synonyms such as "retraction" or "reversal of opinion" when a less formal context is appropriate. "Recantation" is a powerful term to be used when you want to convey the solemn act of someone publicly and definitively renouncing something they once held to be true.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

retraction

Focuses on withdrawing a statement or claim.

withdrawal of statement

Emphasizes the act of taking back a previously made statement.

reversal of opinion

Highlights the change in belief or viewpoint.

disavowal

Suggests a formal denial or rejection.

repudiation

Implies a strong rejection or denial of something.

abjuration

A formal and solemn renunciation.

revocation

Focuses on the act of officially canceling or reversing something.

cancellation

Highlights the act of nullifying a previous declaration.

invalidation

Emphasizes rendering something without legal or factual basis.

nullification

Focuses on the act of making something legally void.

FAQs

How is "recantation" typically used in a sentence?

The word "recantation" is used to describe the act of formally retracting a statement or belief. For example, "The defendant's "recantation" of his testimony surprised the court."

What's the difference between "recantation" and "retraction"?

"Recantation" often implies a more formal and public withdrawal of a belief, especially in religious or legal contexts, whereas "retraction" is a more general term for taking back a statement.

Are there situations where using "reversal of opinion" is more appropriate than "recantation"?

Yes, if the context involves a change in personal belief without a formal declaration, "reversal of opinion" might be more fitting, as "recantation" suggests a public and often pressured disavowal.

When is it correct to use "recantation" instead of "disavowal"?

"Recantation" is appropriate when someone explicitly withdraws a previously stated belief or claim. "Disavowal", on the other hand, can refer to simply denying knowledge or responsibility without necessarily retracting a prior statement.