as in to retract
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
the witness tried to unsay the very testimony that he had given a few days earlier
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Recent Examples of unsay
Left unsaid, but no less clear, was the fact that those same values are at stake in the success of Germany’s next government.
—
Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb. 2025
Each situation is unique but these conversations can have a huge impact on the experience of grief, leaving us with no regrets or words unsaid.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Left unsaid is that the amendment would give broad leeway for environmental groups or everyday citizens to sue state and local governments for alleged violations of environmental rights.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
What that means—when Bunty might report to work, and what happens after forty-five days—went unsaid.
—Peter Slevin, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsay
Mark Sappenfield, The Christian Science Monitor, 24 Feb. 2025
Each situation is unique but these conversations can have a huge impact on the experience of grief, leaving us with no regrets or words unsaid.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 25 Mar. 2025
Left unsaid is that the amendment would give broad leeway for environmental groups or everyday citizens to sue state and local governments for alleged violations of environmental rights.
—John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 19 Mar. 2025
What that means—when Bunty might report to work, and what happens after forty-five days—went unsaid.
—Peter Slevin, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsay
Verb
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The paper has since been discredited by health experts, retracted from the journal in which it was published, and its primary author, Andrew Wakefield, lost his medical license.—
Mary Kekatos,
ABC News,
25 Apr. 2025
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And the rear decklid spoiler extends and retracts at 45 miles an hour—but that’s customizable, as with everything on the car, in the same vein as a 911 restomod from Singer Vehicle Design.—
Michael Teo Van Runkle,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The spacer might shut down, withdraw or become defensive, leaving the chaser feeling unheard and the spacer feeling emotionally ambushed.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
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The Great Plains Theater Commons, in Omaha, Neb., got an email withdrawing a recommendation for a $35,000 grant for an annual play festival.—
Michael Paulson,
New York Times,
3 May 2025
Verb
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Eventually, in 2019, the Business Round Table realized that business based totally on the self-interest of short-term profits was untenable and officially renounced it.—
Steve Denning,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
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In this telling, the blood of Christian martyrs facing lions rather than renouncing their faith eventually transformed the Roman empire.—
John Blake,
CNN Money,
20 Apr. 2025
Verb
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The state also was denied an emergency order to block Musk’s exercise of sweeping power over the federal budget.—
Kevin Rector,
Los Angeles Times,
29 Apr. 2025
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Chemicals at the port were suspected to have fueled the explosion, but the exact cause was not clear and Iran's Defence Ministry denied international media reports that the blast may be linked to the mishandling of solid fuel used for missiles.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
29 Apr. 2025
Verb
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Also, sources have pointed out that any major funding initiative using taxpayer dollars would contradict the administration’s rhetoric on trimming the fat from the federal budget and bringing down the national debt.—
Katie Campione,
Deadline,
2 May 2025
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That involvement appears to contradict the Trump Organization's second-term ethics pledge, which permits foreign business deals but explicitly bars partnerships with foreign governments.—
Gabe Whisnant,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsay. Accessed 11 May. 2025.
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