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
Even in Repetition, however, so much remains unsaid—not to protect the parents, but to protect the self.
—
Honor Jones, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Instead, symbols, especially flowers, became powerful ways to communicate feelings that might otherwise go unsaid.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Not a historical correction, but an emotional one: an impolite acknowledgment of something people feel they are usually expected to soften, qualify, or leave unsaid.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2026
After the release of their 2023 album Table for Two, the alternative pop-rock duo recognized that there were a lot of things left unsaid.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsay
Honor Jones, The Atlantic, 3 Mar. 2026
Instead, symbols, especially flowers, became powerful ways to communicate feelings that might otherwise go unsaid.
—Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 3 Feb. 2026
Not a historical correction, but an emotional one: an impolite acknowledgment of something people feel they are usually expected to soften, qualify, or leave unsaid.
—Philip Martin, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2026
After the release of their 2023 album Table for Two, the alternative pop-rock duo recognized that there were a lot of things left unsaid.
—Jordana Comiter, PEOPLE, 16 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for unsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsay
Verb
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The Lincoln’s version unfolds and retracts when the Navigator’s engine starts and stops.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
1 May 2026
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In a separate filing Tuesday, the SPLC moved to force Blanche to retract his statements, and said that ahead of the indictment, the SPLC provided details about informant work to the Justice Department in two separate meetings with federal law enforcement earlier this year.—
Jacob Rosen,
CBS News,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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For 2026, you are allowed to withdraw up to $20,000 for allowable educational expenses.—
Elliot Raphaelson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
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The War Powers Resolution of 1973 lays out a timeline for when lawmakers must be notified of hostilities and when a president is required to withdraw American forces from a conflict in the absence of congressional authorization.—
May 1,
CBS News,
1 May 2026
Verb
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Officials said that after Cooper’s arrest, the first victim, a runaway, was crying hysterically and denied any involvement in prostitution.—
Samantha Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
2 May 2026
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Agresta denied news reports about the sloths dying from the cold, instead pinning the cause on viral infections, Inside Climate News said.—
Cristóbal Reyes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
1 May 2026
Verb
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During their investigation, police found evidence that contradicted Kirby's explanation.—
JT Moodee Lockman,
CBS News,
27 Apr. 2026
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The survey also surfaced enduring public concerns over the police shooting death of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald in October 2014 and the 13-month delay under then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel before the public release of body camera footage videos contradicting police statements.—
Rick Pearson,
Chicago Tribune,
26 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsay. Accessed 2 May. 2026.
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