as in retracted
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 took back
In the final, in their 5th meeting of the season, Sewing took back control of their rivalry with a 12,6 win to take the title.
—
Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Lions took back the lead in the 50th minute with a second goal from Muriel.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
The woman later took back her statements to police and prosecutors declined to file charges, per the Washington Post.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Dos Santos took back over for Pablo Sisniega, who conceded only three total goals in four MLS starts but allowed five in SDFC’s two previous Leagues Cup losses.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Maybe that’s why the NIMBYs took back the Elizabeth Street Garden.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025
The Lions took back the lead in the 50th minute with a second goal from Muriel.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Aug. 2025
The woman later took back her statements to police and prosecutors declined to file charges, per the Washington Post.
—Christine Pelisek, People.com, 8 Aug. 2025
Dos Santos took back over for Pablo Sisniega, who conceded only three total goals in four MLS starts but allowed five in SDFC’s two previous Leagues Cup losses.
—Kyle Kensing, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Aug. 2025
Maybe that’s why the NIMBYs took back the Elizabeth Street Garden.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took back
Verb
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On August 4, the situation culminated when the National Assembly officially retracted feudal rights.—
Andrew Paul,
Popular Science,
27 Aug. 2025
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Even with the soft-top retracted, the Cabrio has a beautifully chic side profile.—
Peter Nelson,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Just a day before Amtrak unveiled its new Acela trains, his department withdrew another $175 million earmarked for California rail projects.—
Ben Jones,
CNN Money,
8 Sep. 2025
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In January 2023, Imavov was booked to face Kelvin Gastelum, but that fight fell apart when Gastelum withdrew.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
6 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Eventually, however, Lowell’s ideas were discredited—Schiaparelli, once an ally, renounced them—and the world moved on.—
Jon Allsop,
New Yorker,
29 Aug. 2025
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Beijing has never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control.—
Karen Lema,
Reuters,
28 Aug. 2025
Verb
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Mace's former fiancé denied the accusations.—
Zac Anderson,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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Caracas has denied this repeatedly.—
Robert Birsel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While troops were provided training materials on activities barred by the Posse Comitatus Act, Breyer said orders from military leadership contradicted those guidelines.—
Peter Charalambous,
ABC News,
2 Sep. 2025
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Blood spatter on the hood outside the car contradicted Buford Pusser’s statements.—
Audrey McAvoy,
Twin Cities,
31 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Took back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20back. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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