TOOK BACK Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

took back

verb

past tense of take back

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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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of took back Mendoza’s first drive ended with his first interception, which Texans linebacker Wade Woodaz snatched and took back 80 yards for a pick six. — Sam Warren, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026 Croatia took back possession to continue its offensive press but struggled to create goal-scoring opportunities. — Monica Alba, NBC news, 24 June 2026 Some of the companies hit hardest by selling Tuesday took back some of those losses before the market opened. — ABC News, 24 June 2026 One of those picks was off MVP Matt Stafford, by the way, which Jackson took back to the Panthers’ end zone. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 11 June 2026 In April, Ukraine actually took back more land than Russia seized for the first time since 2024. — Lauren Kent, CNN Money, 4 June 2026 Four years earlier, Lawler, a former state assemblyman, was elected when Republicans took back control of the House. — Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026 Frost forwards Katy Knoll and Klára Hymlárová were moving toward the Sirens’ goal when both took back-to-back hits from New York players. — Theodore Tollefson, Twin Cities, 11 Apr. 2026 On Thursday, the Supreme Court took back the case and set an accelerated schedule for the coming week, when prosecutors and defense attorneys can argue over whether to finish the analysis. — Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 4 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took back

Verb

When the refill is retracted, the Telegraph Key can also be pressed repeatedly, turning the mechanism into a satisfying tactile interaction even when the pen is not being used for writing.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 9 Sep. 2026
But the subtitle’s Hail Mary overtones hit everybody wrong, everywhere, all at once, and the movie quickly retracted it.

— Michael Phillips, Variety, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of retracted

Verb

Sheeran’s remaining supporting acts—the band Lukas Graham and the singer-songwriters Aaron Rowe and Finneas—and his backing band, the Irish folk troupe Beoga, all withdrew in solidarity.

— Naaman Zhou, New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2026
Heikes advanced when the fourth-place finisher, Democrat David Leslie, withdrew.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 21 Sep. 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

China claims Taiwan as its sovereign territory and has never renounced the use of force to achieve unification.

— Luke Fountain, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2026
China claims Taiwan, a self-governing democracy, as its own breakaway province and hasn’t renounced the use of force to bring it under its control.

— ABC News, ABC News, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of renounced

Verb

Soon after, Politico said its White House reporter Cheyenne Haslett was also denied entry and had her badge confiscated.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 20 Sep. 2026
Harvey’s City Council voted unanimously last October to apply for the so-far rare designation of a Financially Distressed City, which the state denied in April.

— A.D. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 20 Sep. 2026

Definition of denied

Verb

For a home or business that uses 1,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity a month, that could mean power bills roughly $8 a month lower with these changes than if current rules weren’t repealed.

— Akshaya Jha, The Conversation, 22 Sep. 2026
In 2005, lawmakers repealed annual gas tax increases tied to inflation.

— Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 21 Sep. 2026