1
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
an English professor who loves to descant on his beloved Shakespeare
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
also discant
1
as in chorus
Related Words
2
as in observation
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of descant
Jesse Green, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
For seven decades, Katz has been providing a visual descant to the work of the New York School of poets, many of whom were his friends.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2022
The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022
Then comes a longer descant of mixed-up work, including bad versions of pop tunes and ambitious attempts at pop epics.
—Adam Gopni, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
Verb
Bart, too idiosyncratic merely to copy the idiosyncrasies of the movie’s Christopher Lloyd, instead adds a descant of commentary atop them, sometimes seeming to extemporize a different show entirely.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
For seven decades, Katz has been providing a visual descant to the work of the New York School of poets, many of whom were his friends.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2022
The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022
Then comes a longer descant of mixed-up work, including bad versions of pop tunes and ambitious attempts at pop epics.
—Adam Gopni, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descant
Verb
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The Global South initiative speaks to billions of individuals whose innovations have been marginalized by traditional power structures.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes.com,
16 Sep. 2025
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The right to speak freely is the ultimate personal liberty and the foundation of Karen’s 11-year career at The Post.—
Brady Knox,
The Washington Examiner,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The crowd can be heard chanting Kirk’s name.—
Catherine Nicholls,
CNN Money,
13 Sep. 2025
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Supporters start chanting Kirk's name ahead of his appearance.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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While performance is a major part of their lives individually—Tracey becoming a chorus line dancer, the narrator becoming an assistant to a pop star—a performance element that is particularly striking here is the way Smith traces dance from past to present, from Africa through the diaspora.—
Lauren Morrow
September 9,
Literary Hub,
9 Sep. 2025
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Cook joined a number of other tech CEOs at a White House dinner this month, adding his voice to a chorus of praise for the president.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services Bryan Marcus said it is handled on a case by case basis, on how best the district can support and guide an observation.—
Karen Billing,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
16 Sep. 2025
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The smock is designed to prevent self-harm and is part of broader safety measures implemented for individuals under heightened observation.—
Amanda Castro
Hannah Parry
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In between all the jokes, the film stops more than once to basically lecture on this sad state of affairs, an admirable Sturges-like approach that gets laid on thick, perhaps too thick to merge successfully with the largely comedic rhythm Ansari has established so well.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
7 Sep. 2025
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Coach Eli Drinkwitz brought in guest speakers (including Hill) to lecture players on the rivalry.—
Quentin Corpuel,
Kansas City Star,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Its origins trace back to the 19th century, when the mondine sang it—female laborers in Northern Italy's rice paddies—protesting brutal working conditions and lost youth.—
Amanda Castro
Joshua Rhett Miller,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
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The local crowd sang along with almost all the songs.—
Billboard Japan,
Billboard,
12 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Latin polyphony and motets are being sung at the Offertory and during the distribution of Holy Communion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
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The service and concert will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the church, 815 S. Washington St. Castle Singers are vocalists who perform a variety of chamber repertoire, varying from Renaissance madrigals and motets to contemporary pop and vocal jazz.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Rubio and Netanyahu were delivering joint remarks in Jerusalem after holding a meeting to discuss the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza, when a reporter asked them about the ramifications of Kirk’s assassination.—
Stephen Sorace,
FOXNews.com,
15 Sep. 2025
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The governor's remarks came as debate continued online about Robinson's political affiliations.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Descant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descant. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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