took back

VERB

retract

Synonyms

STRONGEST

cancel reclaim renege repeal repossess rescind revoke withdraw

WEAK

abjure back down backpedal call off change one's mind eat one's words forget it go back on have change of heart recall recant repudiate

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allow approve permit

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Al-Shabaab took back at least 14 towns and districts in Hiiraan last year, and 28 more in neighbouring Middle Shebelle, according to a tally by an AFP journalist in Somalia.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Hole In The Wall, one of the restaurants that she is accused of stealing from, says that they took back their food after Ms Chung said she wanted to pay with photos.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2025

She was the first woman to be named speaker of the House in 2007, and then took back that role in 2019, making her the first person to do so in more than 60 years.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 6, 2025

A surprise jump in hiring in September took back some of the job losses from the previous two months, though the unemployment rate remains at its highest outside the pandemic since 2016.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

The boy took back the book from his father.

From "Krik? Krak!" by Edwidge Danticat