unsay

[ uhn-sey ]

See synonyms for: unsay unsaid unsaying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),un·said, un·say·ing.

to withdraw (something said), as if it had never been said; retract.

Origin of unsay

First recorded in 1425–75, unsay is from the late Middle English word unsayen.See un-², say¹

Words Nearby unsay

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use unsay in a sentence

Thus Foley massaged a deal with the first George Bush to unsay his 1988 pledge: "Read my lips- no new taxes."
The Indispensible Nancy Pelosi | Robert Shrum | March 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
You will not pretend to unsay what you have said,” cried her eldest sister: “that would be making things worse.
Nature and Art | Mrs. Inchbald
Naomi regretted her words next moment; but it was too late to unsay them.
The Boss of Taroomba | E. W. Hornung
I have to unsay everything I said in criticism of that lovely poem.
The Life of Francis Thompson | Everard Meynell
He could not unsay what he had said, and to attempt to trim would only provoke her scorn.
The Squire's Daughter | Silas K(itto) Hocking

But all the armies and statecraft of Europe cannot unsay what you have said.
A Cynic Looks at Life | Ambrose Bierce

British Dictionary definitions for unsay

unsay

/ (ʌnˈseɪ) /

verb-says, -saying or -said

(tr) to retract or withdraw (something said or written)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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