descants 1 of 2

Definition of descantsnext
present tense third-person singular of descant
1
as in lectures
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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2
as in chants
to produce musical sounds with the voice the world-famous soprano descanted above the melody line

Synonyms & Similar Words

descants

2 of 2

noun

variants also discants
plural of descant

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descants
Verb
  • Simon Maghakyan lectures on the 20th anniversary of the destruction of Djulfa in December 2025.
    Simon Maghakyan, Time, 30 Jan. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • As the crowd chants largely out of sight, heavy automatic gunfire can be heard for 15 uninterrupted seconds.
    Marin Scott, NBC news, 14 Jan. 2026
  • The Barmy Army chants restart as the England players partly walk over to applaud them.
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 21 Dec. 2025
Noun
  • Here's everything to know about Curiosity and the latest discovery made from its observations.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 17 Feb. 2026
  • The benefits of companion planting are purely based on longtime gardeners' observations.
    Ashlyn Needham, The Spruce, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The 22 out hockey players at these Games are, as aforementioned, all women – a detail which speaks to the striking contrast between LGBTQ+ visibility in women’s hockey compared to men’s.
    Hannah Ryan, CNN Money, 14 Feb. 2026
  • As the situation remains fraught in Iran, and with several opposition politicians arrested just this week, Vogue speaks to three Iranian designers on why their home country needs our support right now.
    Emily Chan, Vogue, 14 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Mai sings in a fake-aloof tone about not wanting to get her hopes up, but the beat’s rickety construction—808s, snaps, live drums, and an urgently ticking clock—undermines her facade.
    H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 9 Feb. 2026
  • Aaron Lewis, the pro-MAGA frontman of the hard-rock band Staind, sings in a 2021 solo release.
    Mitch Therieau, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Some leaders, producers and directors were not amused by Goldberg, saying her remarks were insulting and dismissive of a serious fight to gain diversity within the motion picture industry.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026
  • According to one of the individuals familiar with the situation, Kimmel was prepared to deliver his monologue the night he was taken off the air and had planned to address the right-wing backlash to his remarks.
    Dan Heching, CNN Money, 18 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Jesse talks us through the tips and tricks of how to make golden, chewy bagels from the comfort of your own kitchen.
    Emily Elias, Bon Appetit Magazine, 18 Feb. 2026
  • As is her nature, Hudson talks openly and honestly about how being a mother has intertwined with her career.
    Amy Amatangelo, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • The choruses are big and accessible, the melodies classically beautiful, their themes universal.
    Sam Sodomsky, Pitchfork, 1 Feb. 2026
  • When experienced live, its commanding choruses, exquisite vocal solos, awesome symphonic score and theatrical libretto can produce such a staggering emotional intensity that some music fans half-jokingly refer to it as Verdi’s best opera.
    Luis Palomares, Miami Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Descants.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descants. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.

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