recant > define

verb

• Formally reject or disavow a formerly held belief, usually under pressure.
  • usage: "He retracted his earlier statements about his religion"; "She abjured her beliefs"
  • synonyms: abjure, forswear, retract, resile

• (v.i.) To revoke a declaration or proposition; to unsay what has been said; to retract; as, convince me that I am wrong, and I will recant.
• (v.t.) To withdraw or repudiate formally and publicly (opinions formerly expressed); to contradict, as a former declaration; to take back openly; to retract; to recall.