recantation

Definition

The dramatic moment when someone publicly takes back everything they said before, usually because they're being threatened, threatened legally, or just realized they were spectacularly wrong—it's the official word for 'I didn't mean that, please don't sue me.' Historically popular among medieval heretics and modern politicians.

Example Usage

His recantation of his earlier testimony surprised the court and undermined the prosecution's case.

Source: Common legal and historical terminology

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