unsay

verb

un·​say ˌən-ˈsā How to pronounce unsay (audio)
 Southern also  -ˈse
unsaid ˌən-ˈsed How to pronounce unsay (audio) ; unsaying ˌən-ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce unsay (audio)

transitive verb

: to make as if not said : recant, retract

Examples of unsay in a Sentence

the witness tried to unsay the very testimony that he had given a few days earlier
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
She’s particularly enjoyed describing setting in more imagination and nuance and exploring what’s left unsaid. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 21 Mar. 2025 Left unsaid: That argument may not fly and, regardless, a judge had signaled those planes should have stayed grounded. Philip Elliott, TIME, 17 Mar. 2025 Confronting her father at his job about what’s going unsaid regarding Uncle Fred, however, goes nowhere. Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2025 So much remains unsaid between the couple; the wife’s gestures—her hand on the latch—say more than her words. Maggie Doherty, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for unsay

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsay was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsay. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

unsay

verb
un·​say ˌən-ˈsā How to pronounce unsay (audio)
ˈən-
unsaid -ˈsed How to pronounce unsay (audio) ; unsaying -ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce unsay (audio)
: to take back something said : retract
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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