gainsay

[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]
/ ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR gainsay ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object), gain·said, gain·say·ing.

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

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Origin of gainsay

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

OTHER WORDS FROM gainsay

gainsayer, nounun·gain·said, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to gainsay

contravene, traverse, impugn, combat, disclaim, repudiate, refute, disagree, deny, fight, resist, controvert, oppose, negative, disprove, negate, cross, withstand, dispute, disaffirm

Example sentences from the Web for gainsay

British Dictionary definitions for gainsay

gainsay
/ (ɡeɪnˈseɪ) /

verb -says, -saying or -said

(tr) archaic, or literary to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict

Derived forms of gainsay

gainsayer, noun

Word Origin for gainsay

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