as in withdrawn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
Instead, after being caught at sea, refugees are taken back to Libya where, between 2017 and 2022, more than 100,000 men, women and children have been locked up, essentially for being there illegally — albeit without any official charges or trials to contest their imprisonment.
—
Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Leamington was taken back by lender CIT Bank in January 2025 through a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Later that evening he was taken back to the Orange County Jail for three more days.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
In a sign that the company has taken back at least some control over its stock narrative, many on Wall Street rejoiced that Netflix can now return to focus on its pure-play streaming strategy.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Authorities in Pakistan said dozens of Afghan refugees who were waiting to return home from the northwestern Torkham border have been taken back to safer places following the eruption of clashes.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Other members of the men's team have not taken back the team's locker room laughter.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
After letting go of a pitch on Monday afternoon during live batting practice, Pablo López was taken back in time.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
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
Nick Miller, New York Times, 13 Mar. 2026
The Leamington was taken back by lender CIT Bank in January 2025 through a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
—George Avalos, Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2026
Later that evening he was taken back to the Orange County Jail for three more days.
—Ryan Gillespie, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2026
In a sign that the company has taken back at least some control over its stock narrative, many on Wall Street rejoiced that Netflix can now return to focus on its pure-play streaming strategy.
—Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 27 Feb. 2026
Authorities in Pakistan said dozens of Afghan refugees who were waiting to return home from the northwestern Torkham border have been taken back to safer places following the eruption of clashes.
—ABC News, 26 Feb. 2026
Other members of the men's team have not taken back the team's locker room laughter.
—Isabel Yip, NBC news, 26 Feb. 2026
After letting go of a pitch on Monday afternoon during live batting practice, Pablo López was taken back in time.
—Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 17 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taken back
Verb
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If earnings are withdrawn early and don’t qualify for an exception, a 10% additional tax penalty may apply.—
Allison Palmer,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2026
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That grant application was withdrawn at Barry’s request because Dahlin still owned the property and the town’s Redevelopment Commission hadn’t been consulted.—
Jim Woods,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The State Department did not provide numbers for the total number of Americans who have renounced their citizenship.—
Matthew Lee,
Los Angeles Times,
15 Mar. 2026
-
The State Department did not provide numbers for the total number of Americans who have renounced their citizenship.—
Matthew Lee,
Chicago Tribune,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Last month, the EPA repealed the endangerment finding, which affirmed the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions and underpinned the agency’s ability to regulate those emissions from vehicles.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
13 Mar. 2026
-
If the Legislature wanted to really help the city with its finances, then bring back the modest New York City commuter tax that was wrongly repealed on May 17, 1999.—
New York Daily News Editorial Board,
New York Daily News,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The drones must use GPS but also function when signals are denied.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
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Takaichi and her ministers have denied that Washington officially requested Japanese warships sent to the Strait of Hormuz.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
This time, the team started the excavator’s engine, retracted its boom to shift the weight, and tried lifting again.—
Munis Raza,
Interesting Engineering,
13 Mar. 2026
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Other detractors have included Juliette Binoche, Andrea Bocelli and Doja Cat — though Doja Cat later retracted her comments and admitted to using the controversy to get attention.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taken back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taken%20back. Accessed 22 Mar. 2026.
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