Recuse vs Remove

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Recuse

Formal Beyond 10,000 (less common)

Remove

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 verb

Most formal: Recuse Most common: Remove

	Recuse	Remove
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 //rɪˈkjuːz// 🇺🇸 //rɪˈkjuːz//	🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈmuːv/","/rɪˈmuːvz/","/rɪˈmuːvd/","/rɪˈmuːvɪŋ/"]/
Meaning	To withdraw from a case or decision due to a conflict of interest.	To take something away or get rid of it.
Example	The judge decided to recuse herself from the trial due to personal connections.	Please remove the stain from the carpet.
Register	Formal	Neutral
How common	Beyond 10,000 (less common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	-	A2
Part of speech		verb
Collocations	recuse oneself, recuse a judge, recuse from a case, recuse an attorney, recuse from a decision	altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with, altogether, completely, entirely, try to, be possible to, be difficult to, for, from, with
Antonyms	-	add, include
Common mistakes	Confused with 'excuse', thinking they have similar meanings., Used incorrectly in casual settings where a formal context is required.	Confusing 'remove' with 'erase' — 'erase' is often used for writing or drawings., Using 'remove' without a clear object — remember to specify what is being removed., Incorrectly using 'removal' as a verb.
Usage notes	Used mainly in legal and formal contexts. Not appropriate in casual conversation.	Use 'remove' in neutral contexts, such as formal writing or conversations. It is less common in informal speech where simpler words like 'take away' might be preferred.

See it in real clips

I'm gonna need TARS to remove and adapt some components from KIPP.

Please remove any metallic items you're carrying. Keys, loose change.

I'm gonna need TARS to remove and adapt some components from KIPP.

Please remove any metallic items you're carrying. Keys, loose change.

Remove

Frequently asked questions: Recuse vs Remove

What's the difference between Recuse and Remove?

Recuse: To withdraw from a case or decision due to a conflict of interest. Remove: To take something away or get rid of it.

Which is more formal: Recuse and Remove?

Recuse is the most formal of these.

Which is more common: Recuse and Remove?

Remove is the most common in everyday English.

Can you show an example of each?

Recuse: The judge decided to recuse herself from the trial due to personal connections. Remove: Please remove the stain from the carpet.

Can I use Recuse and Remove interchangeably?

Not always. Recuse and Remove are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.