Thesaurus results for DISCANT

descant 1 of 2

verb

ˈdes-ˌkant

Definition of descant

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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as in to chant

to produce musical sounds with the voice the world-famous soprano descanted above the melody line

Synonyms & Similar Words

descant

2 of 2

noun

variants also discant

as in chorus

Related Words

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

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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for descant

Verb

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce received another platelet-rich plasma injection in his left ankle, according to a source with knowledge of the matter who spoke anonymously Monday because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

— James Boyd, New York Times, 11 Aug. 2026
Low labor costs, a large French-speaking workforce and relatively weak unions have made Morocco an attractive outsourcing destination for international companies, particularly French firms seeking to reduce costs.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of speak

Verb

In Kabul, Afghans took to the squares carrying Taliban flags and chanting slogans in support of the government.

— ABC News, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026
Celebrations under tight security In Kabul, Afghans took to the squares carrying Taliban flags and chanting slogans in support of the government.

— Abdul Qahar Afghan, Los Angeles Times, 15 Aug. 2026

Definition of chant

Noun

In group sessions, where Cody typically doesn’t say much, the others speak for what Cody might be going through, Greek chorus-style.

— Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Their chorus of howls and yowls was all that kept them connected to the hunters who lagged far behind.

— Paul Schullery, Outdoor Life, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of chorus

Noun

Webb's observations also revealed clear evidence of water within the envelope — the first such detection for IRS 3.

— Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Lee wrote and directed the installment after spending 10 and a half hours in a Los Angeles hospital, jotting observations into his phone.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of observation

Verb

Life begins as a fanfare — a regal entry heralded by brass — and ends as a solo cello lament and the serene acceptance of death as sung by a choir.

— Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
LaBelle handed a mic to each guy, encouraging them to either sing to the beat or dance along.

— Sal Pizarro, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of sing

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
Her husband, my grandfather, was not only a composer who wrote liturgical music, motets, symphonies, and string quartets but also a beloved music teacher who believed that music was as crucial to the development of the mind as math.

— Stephanie H. Murray, The Atlantic, 18 Dec. 2024