gainsay

[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]

verb (used with object)

, gain·said, gain·say·ing.

1. to deny, dispute, or contradict.
2. to speak or act against; oppose.

gainsay

/ ɡeɪnˈseɪ /

verb

1. archaic.
   tr to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict

Derived Forms

• gainˈsayer, noun

Other Words From

• gainsayer noun
• un·gainsaid adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, gainsay is from the Middle English word gainsaien. See again, say ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay¹

C13 gainsaien, from gain- against + saien to say ¹

Example Sentences

But it will be a cost, and it will be large -- nobody can gainsay that.

From The Daily Beast

As long as the United States was the economic primus inter pares, those arguments were hard to gainsay.

From The Daily Beast

I ne'er heard yet that any of these bolder vices wanted less impudence to gainsay what they did, than to perform it first.

From Project Gutenberg

It was hard to make clear what the mate meant, but all to a 22 certain extent understood, and no one ventured to gainsay it.

From Project Gutenberg

There was that about me to stir surprise; with those 14 generous days so long gone by, I will not gainsay it.

From Project Gutenberg

"I cannot gainsay your statement," the Count de Montego said.

From Project Gutenberg

It would seem that he could not gainsay her words, for he made no reply.

From Project Gutenberg