Definitions
- Describing the act of publicly taking back or withdrawing a statement or belief. - Referring to the renunciation of a previously held opinion or belief. - Talking about retracting a statement or belief that was previously made public.
- Describing the act of taking back or withdrawing a statement or promise. - Referring to the withdrawal of a previously stated opinion or belief. - Talking about the act of pulling something back, such as a retractable roof or a cat's claws.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words involve taking back or withdrawing a statement or belief.
- 2Both words can be used in formal or informal contexts.
- 3Both words can be used in legal or journalistic contexts.
- 4Both words imply a change in position or opinion.
- 5Both words can be used to correct a mistake or error.
What is the difference?
- 1Usage: Recant is typically used in the context of retracting a belief or statement that was previously made public, while retract can refer to any type of withdrawal or taking back.
- 2Formality: Recant is more formal than retract and is often used in legal or religious contexts.
- 3Connotation: Recant can have negative connotations, implying that the person is admitting to being wrong or changing their position under pressure, while retract is more neutral.
- 4Scope: Recant is more specific and limited in scope than retract, which can refer to a wider range of actions.
Remember this!
Recant and retract are synonyms that both refer to the act of taking back or withdrawing a statement or belief. However, recant is more specific and formal, typically used in legal or religious contexts to describe the act of retracting a previously made public statement or belief. On the other hand, retract is more general and neutral, referring to any type of withdrawal or taking back.
