考域标注：专八｜GRE｜雅思高阶阅读核心词

to publicly say you no longer hold a former belief, opinion or statement

公开撤回；放弃（信仰、主张、言论）；改口认错

Under investigation, the witness refused to recant his previous testimony.

面对调查，证人不肯推翻此前的证词。

re-（往回）+ cant（吟唱、宣称）

字面本义：收回曾经当众说出口的话

词源：源自拉丁语，古时宗教场景指被迫当众撤销教义观点，后拓展到法律、舆论场景。

记忆联想：从前高调表态，如今改口收回言论，就是 recant。

The activist was forced to recant the controversial remarks he had made earlier.

这名活动人士被迫收回此前发表的争议言论。

recant one’s views 放弃原有观点

recant a confession 翻供、撤回供词

refuse to recant 拒不改口

publicly recant 公开致歉改口

司法庭审｜证据不足推翻口供

After fresh proof appeared, the suspect chose to recant his confession.

新证据出现后，嫌疑人选择撤回之前的口供。

舆论时政｜迫于舆论撤销表态

The lawmaker had to recant his improper comment amid fierce public criticism.

在民众强烈批评下，这名议员不得不收回不当言论。

宗教历史｜重压之下背弃原有信念

Many believers would rather endure punishment than recant their faith.

不少信徒宁愿承受责罚，也不愿背弃自己的信仰。