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gainsay

[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]
/ ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ /
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See synonyms for: gainsay / gainsaying 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. 2023

Words related to gainsay

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

How to use gainsay in a sentence

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
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