descants 1 of 2

Definition of descantsnext
present tense third-person singular of descant
1
as in lectures
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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2
as in chants
to produce musical sounds with the voice the world-famous soprano descanted above the melody line

Synonyms & Similar Words

descants

2 of 2

noun

variants also discants
plural of descant
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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descants
Verb
  • When not writing, May frequently lectures on the politics and policies of mass incarceration for university classes, academic conferences, and online events.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 Apr. 2026
  • With me, my wife lectures me more than my children.
    Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • As the crowd chants largely out of sight, heavy automatic gunfire can be heard for 15 uninterrupted seconds.
    Marin Scott, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The Barmy Army chants restart as the England players partly walk over to applaud them.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • For four of these systems, the observations were sensitive enough to allow the astronomers to measure the masses of the component stars from first principles, independent of any guidance from theoretical models.
    Keith Cooper, Space.com, 28 Apr. 2026
  • For years the owner, now 66, has watched tape, done his own player evaluations and sent observations and suggestions to DeCosta, mostly about players who might be available in later rounds — without exerting any actual decision-making power.
    Michael Silver, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The flags that typically stand behind the podium when the President speaks were hastily brought in.
    Antonia Hitchens, New Yorker, 26 Apr. 2026
  • This speaks to communication that may hurt but ultimately heals.
    Glamour, Glamour, 25 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Margaret sings near the end of the song.
    Linnie Greene, Pitchfork, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Lainey Wilson sings onstage at the 2026 Symphony Fashion Show in Nashville on April 28.
    Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In their applause and standing ovations, Democrats were clearly more supportive than many Republicans of King Charles' remarks stressing the importance of the NATO alliance and protecting the environment.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The 20-minute speech to Congress may amount to the most extensive public remarks Charles will deliver during his trip.
    Steven Sloan, Chicago Tribune, 28 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Below, Weisman talks with THR about the difficult conversations in the writers’ room about presenting the interracial friend group onscreen, considering an alternative killer and the message the series sends about the danger shame and secrets pose to women.
    Brande Victorian, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Ahead, Fields talks determination in pursuit of a dream, following your instincts and fostering relationships.
    Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 28 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Songs here that start off surprisingly bracing resolve into big, sleek choruses, the work of firm believers in the power of heroic, high-protein mainstream alt-rock as a salve against encroaching darkness.
    Jon Dolan, Rolling Stone, 22 Apr. 2026
  • The show’s got love songs, patter songs, a few reprises, a soliloquy, and production numbers with hooky choruses guaranteed to stick in your head.
    Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Descants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descants. Accessed 3 May. 2026.

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