gainsay
- to deny, dispute, or contradict.
- to speak or act against; oppose.
Origin of gainsay
Related Words for gainsaid
contravene, traverse, impugn, combat, disclaim, repudiate, refute, disagree, deny, fight, resist, controvert, oppose, negative, disprove, negate, cross, withstand, dispute, disaffirmExamples from the Web for gainsaid
Historical Examples of gainsaid
The general probability of his statements could not, unfortunately be gainsaid.
The Grand Old ManRichard B. Cook
Its hardness, solidity, and actuality could not be gainsaid.
The Conquest of FearBasil King
The authority in her voice and manner was not to be gainsaid.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Mary's answer was given quietly, but, none the less, with an assurance that could not be gainsaid.
Within the LawMarvin Dana
Despised and contemned as they may be, I believe they cannot be gainsaid.
The Works of Whittier, Volume VII (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
gainsay
- (tr) archaic, or literary to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict
Word Origin for gainsay
Word Origin and History for gainsaid
gainsay
"contradict," c.1300, literally "say against," from Old English gegn- "against" (see again) + say (v.). "Solitary survival of a once common prefix" [Weekley], which was used to form such now-obsolete compounds as gain-taking "taking back again," gainclap "a counterstroke," gainbuy "redeem," and gainstand "to oppose." Related: Gainsaid; gainsaying.