descant

variants also discant
Definition of descantnext

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 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
  • Serna and Hulst never got the chance to speak one last time.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 30 May 2026
  • The person requested anonymity because they're not permitted to speak publicly about the confidential discussions.
    Kai Nicol-Schwarz, CNBC, 29 May 2026
Verb
  • There was a strong Polish presence in the Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd Saturday, and when Chwalinska was introduced, fans held aloft red-and-white Polish flags and chanted her name.
    CBS News, CBS News, 6 June 2026
  • In Section 535, no one was chanting about affordability.
    Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • Major stars from his talent agency joined the chorus calling for Casey Wasserman to resign as the chairman of LA28 after emails the mogul exchanged with Ghislaine Maxwell were revealed in the Epstein files in February.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
  • The verse is tethered to the earth; the chorus glides like a 747.
    Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 4 June 2026
Noun
  • But their inner lives don’t hold shape the way her little girls (and boys) do, with their uncanny dialogue and idiosyncratic observations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
  • Barr notes that the share of large banks rated as well-managed under the new, more permissive framework doubled from the end of 2024 to recent observations — not because banks got better, but because the grading curve was relaxed.
    Mayra Rodriguez Valladares, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026
Verb
  • In September 1975, Applewhite visited a small town in Oregon to lecture its residents about how and why UFOs were visiting Earth.
    Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 8 June 2026
  • Universities lecture athletes about fiscal responsibility while writing eight-figure checks for coaches not to work.
    Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Recorded throughout the book tour for On Morrison—Serpell’s electrifying, critical examination of Morrison’s writing—each episode welcomes listeners into rooms full of readers and discussions of how Morrison made her words sing.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 11 June 2026
  • Women sang, debated and pitched business ideas ranging from poultry farming to detergent-making.
    ABC News, ABC News, 10 June 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
  • Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark didn’t slam the brakes on College Football Playoff expansion during his state-of-the-conference remarks Friday in Frisco, Texas — that authority belongs exclusively to the Big Ten and SEC.
    Jon Wilner, Mercury News, 29 May 2026
  • Consistent with remarks from her fellow central bankers, Bowman noted that the policy reaction depends on the duration of the conflict with Iran.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 29 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Descant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descant. Accessed 12 Jun. 2026.

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