as in withdrawing
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 taking back
But with the Lightning taking back home-ice advantage with this win and the series shifting back to Tampa, where Cooper will have full control of the matchup, the task becomes that much more difficult for the Suzuki line.
—
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
An opposition party taking back control of the government would likely see the abandonment of a warming of relations with Israel and the West more broadly.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
San Francisco has won five of its last seven games overall, taking back-to-back series for the first time under rookie manager Tony Vitello.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The clock is ticking on November’s midterm elections, and Democrats’ chances of taking back the Senate are improving.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
The funds were reportedly credited to the account and later withdrawn; however, the bank reversed the transaction after determining the check was fraudulent, taking back the museum’s money.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
All that has raised the hopes of Democrats about taking back both the House AND the Senate this year.
—Nancy Cook, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 2026
Monday's trading was a reminder that geopolitical conflicts have a limited impact on the stock market , pricing in the worst-case scenario early before taking back that risk.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Dallas would neuter Finland by taking back Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell, plus Jake Oettinger in net.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
Arpon Basu, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
An opposition party taking back control of the government would likely see the abandonment of a warming of relations with Israel and the West more broadly.
—Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2026
San Francisco has won five of its last seven games overall, taking back-to-back series for the first time under rookie manager Tony Vitello.
—Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 23 Apr. 2026
The clock is ticking on November’s midterm elections, and Democrats’ chances of taking back the Senate are improving.
—The Conversation, 22 Apr. 2026
The funds were reportedly credited to the account and later withdrawn; however, the bank reversed the transaction after determining the check was fraudulent, taking back the museum’s money.
—Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 20 Apr. 2026
All that has raised the hopes of Democrats about taking back both the House AND the Senate this year.
—Nancy Cook, Bloomberg, 7 Apr. 2026
Monday's trading was a reminder that geopolitical conflicts have a limited impact on the stock market , pricing in the worst-case scenario early before taking back that risk.
—Sarah Min, CNBC, 2 Mar. 2026
Dallas would neuter Finland by taking back Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen, Roope Hintz and Esa Lindell, plus Jake Oettinger in net.
—Corey Masisak, Denver Post, 23 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for taking back
Verb
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The Kenyans ended their involvement in Haiti last month, withdrawing their last Kenyan police contingent and shipping out equipment, including armored vehicles used in the fight.—
Jacqueline Charles,
Miami Herald,
25 May 2026
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This statute of limitations can effectively block student loan forgiveness for borrowers who seek Borrower Defense relief too long after withdrawing or graduating.—
Adam S. Minsky,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Eveningside’s smaller arms holding on to the chains while Morningside’s longer arms propelled them, her fists and excess joints braced against the ground; their span lengthening, extending and retracting in the girls’ to and fro.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 May 2026
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Swelling around your eyes may suggest an underactive thyroid, while retracting eyelids may signal an overactive thyroid.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
SAM METZ,
Arkansas Online,
26 Apr. 2026
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The program calls for the recognition of Israel and renouncing armed struggle, effectively sidelining Hamas and other factions.—
Sam Metz,
Los Angeles Times,
25 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Among those is a provision repealing a state law that prohibits mid-decade redistricting.—
David A. Lieb,
Chicago Tribune,
23 May 2026
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Among those is a provision repealing a state law that prohibits mid-decade redistricting.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Building such strategic trust doesn’t require an elimination of differences or denying competition, Lam said.—
Lim Hui Jie,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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The reassurances by his spouse and his aides denying that the 81-year-old president was suffering from cognitive decline wouldn't be enough.—
Susan Page,
USA Today,
29 May 2026
Verb
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The struggle between the federal agent and the two men lasted about 12 seconds, contradicting the agent’s account that he was engaged in a struggle for about three minutes before the shooting.—
Zoe Sottile,
CNN Money,
29 May 2026
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Bounphong, in an interview on Thursday with local media outlet Xaisomboun Province Television, said the villagers entered the cave on May 20, contradicting rescuers who put the date at May 19.—
Jintamas Saksornchai,
Los Angeles Times,
29 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Taking back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/taking%20back. Accessed 31 May. 2026.
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