Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for gainsay

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
“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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • gainˈsayer, noun
Discover More

Other Words From

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay1

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay1

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

Example Sentences

There’s no gainsaying the hunger of many in the crowd at Chicago’s United Center, and of Democrats across the country, to see Trump behind bars.

Nor can I gainsay the positions of those who argue that torture is justified in such a case.

They have provided little to no evidence to validate this drastic divestiture of combined-arms capability, and the war in the Ukraine gainsays this decision.

As an Episcopal priest, I’d be the last person to gainsay the importance of prayer.

Despite Wilde’s grandstanding and equivocation, there was no gainsaying the testimony of various rent-boys detailing carnal concurrence.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement