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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Recent Examples of took back 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 Republicans took back the state House, ending the Democratic trifecta in Michigan and opening a door to more cash-for-jobs deal scrutiny. — CBS News, 27 Mar. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for took back

Verb

Although the journal issued an Expression of Concern shortly after publication, the study has not yet been retracted.

— Dannell D. Boatman, The Conversation, 8 July 2026
As soon as the error was realized, the story was retracted and removed from NPR’s website and an on-air correction was broadcast.

— Ted Johnson, Deadline, 30 June 2026

Definition of retracted

Verb

After other State Department officials clarified that position, Dutch authorities withdrew the authorization while Machado’s aircraft was already in flight, forcing it to return.

— Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 9 July 2026
Two Republicans, a Democrat and an independent candidate are running to fill the top seat on the Platte County Commission, which is currently held by Scott Fricker, who withdrew from the race a month after filing for reelection this spring.

— Jenna Ebbers, Kansas City Star, 8 July 2026

Definition of withdrew

Verb

The 58-year-old construction tycoon renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2017, Ukrainian media reported, and has been a citizen of Cyprus since 2019.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 3 July 2026
What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond.

— Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Definition of renounced

Verb

Graf denied a defense request to force Robinson's partner to travel from Texas to testify in person.

— N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 6 July 2026
Historically, the Catholic Church had denied religious funerals inside its houses of worship as well as traditional burials for those who died in this way.

— Angie Leventis Lourgos, Chicago Tribune, 5 July 2026

Definition of denied

Verb

In Good’s case, and in the case of Alex Pretti, the other American citizen killed by federal agents in Minnesota, videos contradicted the government’s account.

— Hanna Rosin, The Atlantic, 9 July 2026
Hebert said North Crowley’s school rating contradicted the family’s prior academic priority.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 9 July 2026

Definition of contradicted

Verb

Justices found Yoon violated Cabinet members’ deliberation rights, falsified and destroyed the martial law proclamation, and used security forces to obstruct his arrest before lawmakers swiftly repealed the decree.

— Kim Tong-Hyung, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
However, the City Council at the time repealed the measure and called it unworkable.

— Dylan Lysen, Kansas City Star, 7 July 2026