unsay

verb

un·​say ˌən-ˈsā How to pronounce unsay (audio)
 Southern also  -ˈse
unsaid ˌən-ˈsed How to pronounce unsay (audio) ; unsaying ˌən-ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce unsay (audio)

transitive verb

: to make as if not said : recant, retract

Examples of unsay in a Sentence

the witness tried to unsay the very testimony that he had given a few days earlier
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The laughter often came as the audience mentally filled in the other half of the dialogue, which was sometimes obvious and unsaid but usually redelivered by Newhart’s character, as if for emphasis. Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 19 July 2024 Elevate your typical tennis player costume with palpable tension, sustained eye contact and lots left unsaid. 10 of 12 Raygun The Australian breakdancer certainly left an impression at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite scoring 0 points. Chiara Kim, People.com, 23 Oct. 2024 Left unsaid is the freeing up of workers’ time means those that can move forward are those that take on a more activist role within their businesses — advising, teaming up, and even identifying other areas open for AI assistance. Joe McKendrick, Forbes, 27 Sep. 2024 But one telling moment gives voice to what otherwise goes unsaid—a repugnant reminiscence of Jim Crow violence, addressed to Terry within earshot of the department’s one nonwhite officer, a Black woman named Jessica Sims (Zsané Jhé). Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for unsay 

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unsay was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near unsay

Cite this Entry

“Unsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unsay. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

unsay

verb
un·​say ˌən-ˈsā How to pronounce unsay (audio)
ˈən-
unsaid -ˈsed How to pronounce unsay (audio) ; unsaying -ˈsā-iŋ How to pronounce unsay (audio)
: to take back something said : retract
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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