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
AllianceBernstein took back the asset in its unfinished state from developer Stockdale Capital Partners after a public auction that garnered no bids.
—
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
New York’s Bobby Okereke scooped it up with a chance to take it before Mahomes crashed into him and took back the ball.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
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
Maybe that’s why the NIMBYs took back the Elizabeth Street Garden.
—Zach Schiffman, Vulture, 5 Aug. 2025
Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 Sep. 2025
New York’s Bobby Okereke scooped it up with a chance to take it before Mahomes crashed into him and took back the ball.
—Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2025
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
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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Kaufman later retracted this disqualification request.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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This myth stems from a 1998 article by Andrew Wakefield that the journal Lancet retracted in 2010 but nonetheless continues to be popular among vaccine skeptics.—
Erin Mansfield,
USA Today,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
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On the men’s side, Jakub Menšík, also Czech, lasted just five games before retiring against Australia’s Alex de Minaur, while Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti withdrew down 3-0 in the third set against young American Learner Tien.—
Charlie Eccleshare,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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The administration of President Joe Biden withdrew that rule proposal in 2021.—
Jesse Coburn,
ProPublica,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Advertisement Lee also renounced any concept of gender roles, longing for full social equality regardless of gender or race.—
Barry Levitt,
Time,
10 Sep. 2025
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Beijing views Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring Taipei under its control.—
Jan Camenzind Broomby,
NPR,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Black delivered that report before the management committee of EXXON, who purposefully buried those conclusions and continued to fund lobbyists, think tanks, and politicians who vociferously denied the reality of anthropogenic climate change.—
Ed Simon
September 24,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
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In 2022, Spacey denied the allegations and was found not liable in a civil trial due to insufficient evidence.—
Kate Hogan,
PEOPLE,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In October 2020, YouTube had announced a ban on videos that include claims about coronavirus vaccinations and treatments that contradicted information from health authorities.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
23 Sep. 2025
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Kimmel’s comment seemed to imply that Kirk’s alleged killer, the 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, is a MAGA supporter—an implication now contradicted by most available evidence.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Took back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20back. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.
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