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
Detroit took back-to-back penalties, but Ottawa failed to capitalize and gave up a short-handed goal on a Giroux giveaway that led to a 2-on-1 with Rasmussen beating Hunter Shepard, who gave up two goals on 12 shots.
—
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The Tuna King took back his crown during Monday’s buzzy pre-dawn sale, eclipsing his own record from 2019 by hundreds of thousands.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026
Justin Herbert and company opened at 3-0, then took back-to-back Ls and narrowly escaped the floundering Miami Dolphins.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In 2002, state officials took back $40 million for corridor planning in light of community fears that dedicated lanes would eat up space for travel and parking.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
But Utah's Republican supermajority Legislature, instead, took back redistricting power, largely nullifying the ballot initiative.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Swayman shrugged off the softy and several key stops early in the third period when the B’s took back-to-back penalties.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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
CBS News, 6 Jan. 2026
The Tuna King took back his crown during Monday’s buzzy pre-dawn sale, eclipsing his own record from 2019 by hundreds of thousands.
—Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 5 Jan. 2026
Justin Herbert and company opened at 3-0, then took back-to-back Ls and narrowly escaped the floundering Miami Dolphins.
—Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 17 Oct. 2025
In 2002, state officials took back $40 million for corridor planning in light of community fears that dedicated lanes would eat up space for travel and parking.
—Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2025
But Utah's Republican supermajority Legislature, instead, took back redistricting power, largely nullifying the ballot initiative.
—Saige Miller, NPR, 9 Oct. 2025
Swayman shrugged off the softy and several key stops early in the third period when the B’s took back-to-back penalties.
—Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for took back
Verb
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When the steering wheel is retracted, the vehicle activates a passenger airbag integrated into the instrument panel.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Roadsters have an overall driving appeal, notably with tops retracted.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Former North Crowley standout Ka’Morreun Pimpton also withdrew his name from the portal Sunday.—
Steven Johnson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
6 Jan. 2026
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The United Arab Emirates (UAE) withdrew its troops last week following a deadline from Saudi Arabia.—
Ashley J. DiMella,
FOXNews.com,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
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O'Connor is not the only beauty queen who has renounced her title in recent months.—
Tabitha Parent,
PEOPLE,
16 Dec. 2025
-
Manny Diaz, mayor from 2001 to 2009, went on years later to be chairman of the Florida Democratic Party, but renounced his affiliation with the party prior to his first election.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
Verb
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At the time, ICE had requested local officials hold him in jail, but that request was denied, the affidavit said.—
Allison Gordon,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
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The agency that was set to investigate before being denied access to evidence and case materials is called the Force Investigations Unit of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, part of the Department of Public Safety.—
Thao Nguyen,
USA Today,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But a witness’ account contradicted Siebenaller’s statement.—
Jamie Landers,
Dallas Morning News,
5 Jan. 2026
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Those findings, published in 2020, contradicted the earlier hypothesis and raised doubts as to whether the species should be considered a hominin at all.—
Cody Cottier,
Scientific American,
2 Jan. 2026
Verb
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The European countries that repealed their wealth taxes did so for varied reasons.—
Business Columnist,
Los Angeles Times,
8 Jan. 2026
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In 2020, voters repealed the Gallagher Amendment in the state constitution, which locked in a certain ratio of residential to commercial property taxes that provided extra security for homeowners against sudden increases.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
6 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Took back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20back. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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