as in to retract
to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)
the witness tried to unsay the very testimony that he had given a few days earlier
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Recent Examples of unsay
Left unsaid is the history Matthews is on the verge of making.
—
Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Left unsaid was that Sanders has to win for the dollars to make sense for CU.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
But there is another echoing feeling, something unsaid just under the surface.
—Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2025
What went nearly unsaid in the celebration was that the SBCTA still had to pay $15 million for the 0.67-mile portion’s design, and then kick in $120 million to $140 million for its portion of construction costs in 2027, thus making this nearly a $1 billion project.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsay
Jonas Siegel, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2026
Left unsaid was that Sanders has to win for the dollars to make sense for CU.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2025
But there is another echoing feeling, something unsaid just under the surface.
—Sky Davis, Christian Science Monitor, 10 Oct. 2025
What went nearly unsaid in the celebration was that the SBCTA still had to pay $15 million for the 0.67-mile portion’s design, and then kick in $120 million to $140 million for its portion of construction costs in 2027, thus making this nearly a $1 billion project.
—Steve Scauzillo, Daily News, 12 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for unsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for unsay
Verb
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Her delicate proto-shell dangles below, her tiny sails and blossoming eyes retracting at the scent of predators.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
23 Feb. 2026
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The padded backpack straps also impressed testers, most notably a design that retracts straps in a stash pocket when needed.—
Drew Zieff,
Outside,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Earlier this month, a multi-party parliamentary commission recommended a series of reforms, including the reintegration of PKK members who renounce violence, while stressing that legal steps should be tied to state security institutions verifying that the group has surrendered its weapons.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Feb. 2026
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Some reports indicate Andrew is considering renouncing his spot in the line of succession in order to avoid jail time.—
Lizzie Lanuza,
StyleCaster,
25 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Recipients aren't supposed to owe any taxes until the money is withdrawn, which can happen at any point after a child turns 18, in accordance with rules for traditional IRAs.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
27 Feb. 2026
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Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel and non-essential staff from some locations in the Middle East, or advising citizens to avoid travel to Iran.—
Matt Bradley,
NBC news,
27 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Sources did not deny that the Border Patrol, a part of DHS’s agency Customs and Border Protection, responsible for initially arresting people, had released anyone.—
Anna Giaritelli,
The Washington Examiner,
28 Feb. 2026
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He was convicted in July after a six-week trial and made two unsuccessful appeals, denied a new trial only a week ago.—
Steve Henson,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Seen from Beijing, today's turmoil confirms rather than contradicts long-standing assumptions about global energy insecurity.—
Dewardric L. McNeal,
CNBC,
2 Mar. 2026
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Hours later, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, contradicted Murray, saying top administration officials and Senate Democrats were trading paper.—
Zachary Schermele,
USA Today,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/unsay. Accessed 5 Mar. 2026.
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