as in withdrawn
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
I take back what I said about her: she's not the fool I thought she was
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Recent Examples of taken back
The teen had been released previously by Shaw, but was taken back into custody after violating the conditions set by the judge.
—
Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Feb. 2026
Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent opposition leader, was freed Sunday from El Helicoide — only to be taken back into custody hours later.
—Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
In May 2025, the Signia by Hilton hotel, a 541-room lodging tower in downtown San Jose, was taken back by its lender through a foreclosure that valued the hotel at $80 million, or $147,900 a room.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Martinez's attorney sought a hearing to determine whether federal authorities improperly destroyed evidence in the cranial case against her by allowing the SUV to be taken back to Maine.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Whitfield didn’t know where this was going, but such a sincere mission, once proclaimed in the public square, cannot be easily taken back.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
But the Reds have since taken back-to-back 2-1 losses against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Despite being initially taken back by the idea, Reeves came up with a few alternative name options.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
On Saturday, a federal health official said multiple layoff notices were accidental and were set to be taken back, the Post reported.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 12 Oct. 2025
Gabriella Ybarra, San Antonio Express-News, 12 Feb. 2026
Juan Pablo Guanipa, a prominent opposition leader, was freed Sunday from El Helicoide — only to be taken back into custody hours later.
—Carmen Sesin, NBC news, 11 Feb. 2026
In May 2025, the Signia by Hilton hotel, a 541-room lodging tower in downtown San Jose, was taken back by its lender through a foreclosure that valued the hotel at $80 million, or $147,900 a room.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 10 Feb. 2026
Martinez's attorney sought a hearing to determine whether federal authorities improperly destroyed evidence in the cranial case against her by allowing the SUV to be taken back to Maine.
—Dave Savini, CBS News, 7 Jan. 2026
Whitfield didn’t know where this was going, but such a sincere mission, once proclaimed in the public square, cannot be easily taken back.
—Sarah Hepola, Dallas Morning News, 6 Jan. 2026
But the Reds have since taken back-to-back 2-1 losses against Crystal Palace and Chelsea.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 19 Oct. 2025
Despite being initially taken back by the idea, Reeves came up with a few alternative name options.
—Mckinley Franklin, HollywoodReporter, 16 Oct. 2025
On Saturday, a federal health official said multiple layoff notices were accidental and were set to be taken back, the Post reported.
—Tara Suter, The Hill, 12 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken back
Verb
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If Kelesis is not approved or his nomination is withdrawn, Chattah can keep serving for 210 days, Lee argued.—
JESSICA HILL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
19 Feb. 2026
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Any amount withdrawn, including RMDs, from an inherited, traditional IRA is taxed as ordinary income.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Gaetano Milano, a sharpshooting young gangster who renounced the mafia and experienced a religious rebirth after gunning down one of New England’s most ruthless mob bosses, died early this week.—
Edmund H. Mahony,
Hartford Courant,
12 Feb. 2026
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Born rich, yet sought a life of poverty Born into a merchant family in the Umbrian town of Assisi, in present-day Italy, around 1181, Francis famously renounced his family’s wealth.—
Vanessa Corcoran,
The Conversation,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This law, which includes stricter punishments for those who don't comply, repealed a 2001 ordinance on kite flying.—
Betsy Joles,
NPR,
14 Feb. 2026
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In a 2014 editorial, the Times argued the federal ban on the drug should be repealed, and the decision should be left up to the individual states.—
Melissa Rudy,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Along the way, people both inside and outside the union have labeled Meyer as a puppet of powerful agent Scott Boras, a charge both Boras and Meyer have vigorously denied.—
Andy McCullough,
New York Times,
19 Feb. 2026
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Yoon, who can appeal the ruling, had denied the insurrection charge, saying his imposition of martial law was meant to alert the public to paralysing political gridlock caused by the opposition party’s majority in the National Assembly and its impeachment of several senior officials.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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The strongback support has retracted for launch.—
Josh Dinner,
Space.com,
14 Feb. 2026
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Warsama traces the issue back more than a decade, when discredited researcher Andrew Wakefield published his study — since retracted — claiming a link between autism and the MMR vaccine.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taken back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken%20back. Accessed 21 Feb. 2026.
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