1
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject
an English professor who loves to descant on his beloved Shakespeare
Synonyms & Similar Words
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variants
also discant
1
as in chorus
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in observation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of descant
Jesse Green, New York Times, 3 Aug. 2023
Then comes a longer descant of mixed-up work, including bad versions of pop tunes and ambitious attempts at pop epics.
—Adam Gopni, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2021
For seven decades, Katz has been providing a visual descant to the work of the New York School of poets, many of whom were his friends.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 29 Oct. 2022
Birds provided an intermittent descant to the insect buzz and the drone of a distant tractor.
—Sebastian Smee, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2022
The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols.
—Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022
This is a dark and defensive descant to a more substantial and necessary conversation about whiteness in America.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Noun
Bart, too idiosyncratic merely to copy the idiosyncrasies of the movie’s Christopher Lloyd, instead adds a descant of commentary atop them, sometimes seeming to extemporize a different show entirely.
—Recent Examples of Synonyms for descant
Verb
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Trump speaks to reporters about Russia, Iran and a third term President Donald Trump spoke to reporters on Sunday night from Air Force One, where he was asked about a third term, ceasefire negotiations with Russia and tariffs on Iran.—
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But speaking to some of China's America watchers, views of any opportunities that the new administration might offer are tempered by caution and skepticism about China's appetite to eat America's lunch.—
Verb
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The need to sing and dance together is as ancient as the earliest humans who played drums and chanted around campfires.—
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Despite a strong promo, fans chanted for Roman Reigns.—
Noun
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The chorus is sleek, mid-tempo pop perfection thanks to her ongoing partnership and songwriting chemistry with Max Martin.—
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He was removed from his seat by security and led away as a chorus of boos came from the crowd.—
Noun
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Consequently, comparisons between observations in this atlas and sites elsewhere in the world may be possible by noting the characteristics of the various settings described herein.—
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Further research combining mathematical modeling with observations of Venus's surface will help provide a better understanding of the planet's geology, the researchers said.—
Verb
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Boutros has also lectured at the University of Chicago Law School since 2011 and published two books on white-collar law.—
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For decades, Washington lectured Beijing about avoiding protectionism, eliminating barriers to foreign investment, and disciplining the use of subsidies and industrial policy—with only modest success.—
Verb
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Shakira is extremely experienced and professional — not just with her choreographed dance moves and her ability to sing to a large crowd, but also in knowing what her fans want.—
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Today’s news item is brought to you by the letters S, Z, and A. Sesame Street welcomed SZA on Thursday to sing a song about gratitude.—
Noun
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The service and concert will take place at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, at the church, 815 S. Washington St. Castle Singers are vocalists who perform a variety of chamber repertoire, varying from Renaissance madrigals and motets to contemporary pop and vocal jazz.—
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Her husband, my grandfather, was not only a composer who wrote liturgical music, motets, symphonies, and string quartets but also a beloved music teacher who believed that music was as crucial to the development of the mind as math.—
Noun
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His remarks came as a handful of Republican holdouts from the House met with Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at the White House Tuesday afternoon as part of the two sides’ latest lobbying efforts.—
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In conversation with Clint Bowyer, Kevin Harvick, and Mike Joy, Petty passed a remark before leaving, which triggered a response from Joy.—
Cite this Entry
“Descant.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/descant. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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