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

Verstappen was speaking during the second of three preseason F1 tests, before the championship’s first campaign with new cars that were overhauled to the greatest extent ever compared to their predecessors.

— Alex Kalinauckas, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026
Investigators were speaking with witnesses and reviewing security and surveillance video from the surrounding area.

— CBS News Atlanta Digital Team, CBS News, 18 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

Today, young people are increasingly frustrated with the hypocrisy of politicians lecturing them about the virtues of voting while in practice facilitating disengagement.

— David Neil, New York Daily News, 15 Aug. 2026
Those experiences deepen understanding in ways that lectures and memorization alone rarely can.

— Lisa Schade, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of lecture

Verb

And who else could sing over the credits but Susan Boyle, a reminder that sometimes taking chances leads to unlikely victories after all?

— Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Aug. 2026
An 11-year-old girl from Santa Ana experienced an unforgettable moment at SoFi Stadium when international superstar Karol G invited her to sing during last Friday's concert.

— Lesley Marin, CBS News, 19 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

Definition of motet

Noun

Honduras, Colombia and Ecuador did not respond to requests for comment on Hegseth’s remarks.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
The remarks further damaged ties between the longtime allies, and highlighted Washington’s prioritization of the Middle East conflict over relationships in Asia, as well as its demands for ideological fealty from geopolitical partners.

— Prashant Rao, semafor.com, 17 Aug. 2026