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
Relevance
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
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
-
Just two months ago, multi-generation cattle rancher Joe Fischer spoke about the pressures of keeping his operation running.—
Conor McGill,
CBS News,
18 Apr. 2026
-
Today, however, parents can receive updates immediately and respond just as quickly — sometimes before even speaking with their child.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
18 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Hundreds of protesters filled the streets of Pilsen yesterday afternoon, chanting for justice and answers in a fatal hit-and-run that has remained unsolved for nine months.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Members of the River Guard remained in the stands long after the final whistle, chanting and letting off purple smoke bombs before making their way over to the beer garden for further post-game celebrations.—
Shaun Goodwin,
Idaho Statesman,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The song certainly sounds Bond-esque, with a sultry introduction that opens up into dramatic horns and strings, complete with a snippet of the classic Bond theme at the end of the chorus.—
Jem Aswad,
Variety,
16 Apr. 2026
-
Unlike a lot of pop songs, the choruses don’t just repeat the same lyrics, right?—
Nate Sloan,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
County officials declined to answer questions about the grandmother’s account, including whether a social worker documented any such observation.—
Julia Prodis Sulek,
Mercury News,
20 Apr. 2026
-
An artist observes carefully, especially things that go unnoticed — and transforms these observations into meaningful expressions.—
Heide Janssen,
Oc Register,
19 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
One cheeky Instagram Reel sees the two sitting across from each other at a table as Bradford pretended to lecture Brunette.—
Zoey Lyttle,
PEOPLE,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Should the guy who spends his spare time dodging bullets really be lecturing him on death wishes?—
Maggie Fremont,
Vulture,
17 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
But hey, like Elsa sang — the cold never bothered me anyway.—
Bill Kelly,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
-
On my cruise, Denis was the king of the piano keys and Tracy sang standards with a velvety voice.—
Condé Nast,
Condé Nast Traveler,
15 Apr. 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
-
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
-
Some smart ass remark like that.—
Scott M. Reid,
Oc Register,
17 Apr. 2026
-
That last remark drew a certain sense of irony from the ACLU and De-Bug, which is the client being represented in the letter.—
Robert Salonga,
Mercury News,
17 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descant. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
