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)
Synonyms of unsaynext

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
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.
Plus, Cammy starts something with Chun-Li that really should have been left unsaid and Guile wants everyone to believe him about Ryu’s Hadoken. Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 16 Apr. 2026 Left unsaid, but clearly in the background, were concerns about the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Amy McAuliffe, The Conversation, 17 Mar. 2026 But to re-examine them with the benefit of distance — to see what was emphasized, what was minimized, what might have been left unsaid. Amisha Padnani, New York Times, 6 Mar. 2026 What's left unsaid are the realities of the Republican race. Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 4 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for unsay

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsay. Accessed 27 Apr. 2026.

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
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