gainsay

[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]
See synonyms for: gainsaygainsaying on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),gain·said, gain·say·ing.
  1. to deny, dispute, or contradict.

  2. to speak or act against; oppose.

Origin of gainsay

1
First recorded in 1250–1300, gainsay is from the Middle English word gainsaien.See again, say1

Other words from gainsay

  • gainsayer, noun
  • un·gain·said, adjective

Words Nearby gainsay

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How to use gainsay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gainsay

gainsay

/ (ɡeɪnˈseɪ) /


verb-says, -saying or -said
  1. (tr) archaic, or literary to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict

Origin of gainsay

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

Derived forms of gainsay

  • gainsayer, noun

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