1
as in to speak
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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variants
also discant
1
as in chorus
Related Words
2
as in observation
Related Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of descant
Jesse Green, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
For seven decades, Katz has been providing a visual descant to the work of the New York School of poets, many of whom were his friends.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2022
The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022
Then comes a longer descant of mixed-up work, including bad versions of pop tunes and ambitious attempts at pop epics.
—Adam Gopni, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
Noun
Bart, too idiosyncratic merely to copy the idiosyncrasies of the movie’s Christopher Lloyd, instead adds a descant of commentary atop them, sometimes seeming to extemporize a different show entirely.
—Jesse Green, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
For seven decades, Katz has been providing a visual descant to the work of the New York School of poets, many of whom were his friends.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2022
The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022
Then comes a longer descant of mixed-up work, including bad versions of pop tunes and ambitious attempts at pop epics.
—Adam Gopni, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for descant
Verb
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Disciplinary procedure documents shared with the Washington Examiner show that Goldis received several warnings from her higher-ups to stop speaking critically about the PGM sector.—
Mia Cathell,
The Washington Examiner,
31 Jan. 2026
-
Portland Mayor Mark Dion, a Democrat, spoke about the importance of speaking out in the wake of ICE's actions in the city.—
KIMBERLEE KRUESI,
Arkansas Online,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Young people, their faces covered by masks, circulated through traffic and on sidewalks, chanting political slogans.—
Davood Moradian,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
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The sound of honking, chanting, and music filled the air.—
Spencer Wilson,
CBS News,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Leguizamo is one among a chorus of famous voices rising against the federal immigration agency, which has been at the forefront of violent operations in Minneapolis.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Jan. 2026
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But Duckart sets himself apart from his brooding contemporaries with sheer intensity, never diffusing vulnerable moments with a quip or an ironically upbeat chorus.—
Hannah Jocelyn,
Pitchfork,
28 Jan. 2026
Noun
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This allows scientists to follow changes in radio emission from many stars simultaneously, second by second, within a single observation.—
Rupendra Brahambhatt,
Interesting Engineering,
1 Feb. 2026
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Renee Good’s killing raised the profile of the resistance, as well as questions about the lines between observation and obstruction.—
Eric Roper,
Mercury News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In her car, Jessica Gabriel’s Lady is an avid listener of DJ Revolution, a fictional radio DJ who lectures passionately about the struggles of modern-day life in Nigeria.—
Zac Ntim,
Deadline,
22 Jan. 2026
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At her event, Acosta will lecture and facilitate a discussion about the Jeanes Supervisors.—
Raisa Habersham,
Miami Herald,
21 Jan. 2026
Verb
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During his performances, Hensinger sings, raps, beatboxes, plays the piano, and plays the trumpet.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
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Other musical acts will take the stage, including Charlie Puth, who will sing the national anthem, and Green Day, who will perform during the opening ceremony.—
Rebecca Schneid,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Latin polyphony and motets are being sung at the Offertory and during the distribution of Holy Communion.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
7 June 2025
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The service and concert will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the church, 815 S. Washington St. Castle Singers are vocalists who perform a variety of chamber repertoire, varying from Renaissance madrigals and motets to contemporary pop and vocal jazz.—
Aurora Beacon-News,
Chicago Tribune,
4 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
O’Hara made poignant remarks, speaking to her relationship with and pride in Culkin, in an appearance at his Hollywood Walk of Fame induction ceremony in 2023.—
Matt Grobar,
Deadline,
30 Jan. 2026
-
That’s according to a CNBC translation of his Mandarin-language remarks.—
Evelyn Cheng,
CNBC,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descant. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.
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