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 But one telling moment gives voice to what otherwise goes unsaid—a repugnant reminiscence of Jim Crow violence, addressed to Terry within earshot of the department’s one nonwhite officer, a Black woman named Jessica Sims (Zsané Jhé). Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024 Left unsaid, and what troubled Marvin Cota’s family deep down, was that his story ended like so many others on the remote Duck Valley Indian Reservation. Gabe Stern, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2024 How the government would levy tariffs only on certain corporations, or how the tariffs would undo the outsourcing, was left unsaid. The Editors, National Review, 13 Sep. 2024 Left unsaid was how the agreement can also further the league’s advantage in its inevitable competition with the United Soccer League (USL) Super League. Chris Deubert, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsay 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'unsay.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near unsay

Cite this Entry

“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsay. Accessed 10 Oct. 2024.

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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