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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The proposal, which has been enacted in Utah, Virginia and Washington, would allow a person to place themselves on the list for at least a year — a decision that could be renewed or retracted after a 48-hour waiting period.—
Jessie Opoien,
jsonline.com,
11 Sep. 2025
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The Times said the report was ultimately retracted to protect Grenell, which is frequently done to preserve the identity of Americans in intelligence reports.—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
9 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The shake-up came a week after the Ultra-Orthodox parties United Torah Judaism and Shas withdrew from the coalition in protest over the failure to pass legislation exempting Haredi men from military service.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Sep. 2025
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The Times/Siena poll suggested that if both Adams and Sliwa withdrew, Mamdani’s advantage over Cuomo could shrink even further.—
Philip Marcelo,
Fortune,
12 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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Her lawsuit denied the charges but did not provide more details.—
Sheryl Estrada,
Fortune,
10 Sep. 2025
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The doctor spent more than 1,300 days incarcerated while repeatedly denied bail.—
Naman Ramachandran,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But this stereotype is contradicted by the research, which shows that coming from a low-income family actually increases the risk of developing these illnesses.—
Oona Hanson,
CNN Money,
16 Sep. 2025
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Holmes likewise discredited the MS-13 accusation, for which prosecutors relied on the testimony of coöperating witnesses who either contradicted one another or were otherwise unreliable.—
Cristian Farias,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Took back.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/took%20back. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.
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