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
-
The sources spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss confidential negotiations.—
Clara Harter,
Los Angeles Times,
9 May 2026
-
Fox 5 reported that Semrade did not speak during the hearing and showed no emotion.—
Stepheny Price,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Verb
-
Fans went back-and-forth chanting for Sami and Trick as Zayn opened up with his deep arsenal of offense.—
Alfred Konuwa,
Forbes.com,
9 May 2026
-
The performers were wearing drapes over their heads and chanting to drone music while smoking a hookah, and there were flowers everywhere.—
Nate Freeman,
Vanity Fair,
8 May 2026
Noun
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But a growing chorus of theologians, philosophers and bioethicists are calling for more conversations surrounding these procedures and treatments.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 May 2026
-
In contrast, her paced, crackling chorus serves as a recognition and reckoning.—
Caitlin Wolper Phillips,
Pitchfork,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Despite these observations, Walter was not seen by a doctor until two days after his injuries occurred.—
Ava Kofman,
New Yorker,
11 May 2026
-
The comparison to woodpeckers emerged naturally from these observations.—
Scott Travers,
Forbes.com,
10 May 2026
Verb
-
Proctor bragged about properly hydrating himself before practice, which is something past and present Dolphins coaches and trainers annually lecture the newcomers about to avoid dehydration, and the use of intravenous fluids.—
Omar Kelly,
Miami Herald,
10 May 2026
-
For years, states such as New York and California have been run by politicians who seem to believe prosperity is permanent — an endless resource to be taxed a little more, regulated a little harder and lectured a little longer.—
Larry Clifton,
Sun Sentinel,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
-
Finding the strength to sing her own song at the pop showcase, to stand alone on that stage and build all of those elements herself — that was the emotional culmination of everything.—
Kennedy French,
Variety,
13 May 2026
-
But people are also doing it in pubs as well, and everyone’s up having to sing.—
Baz Bamigboye,
Deadline,
13 May 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
-
Delta Counties Coalition pushes back But Newsom's remarks quickly drew criticism from the Delta Counties Coalition, which accused the administration of minimizing concerns from Delta communities that oppose the tunnel project.—
Richard Ramos,
CBS News,
8 May 2026
-
In February, Eilish made remarks during her 2026 Grammys acceptance speech that got a rise out of some viewers.—
Janelle Ash,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Descant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descant. Accessed 15 May. 2026.
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