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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


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Derived Forms

  • gainˈsayer, noun
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Other Words From

  • gainsayer noun
  • un·gainsaid adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay1

First recorded in 1250–1300, gainsay is from the Middle English word gainsaien. See again, say 1
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Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay1

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

But it will be a cost, and it will be large -- nobody can gainsay that.

As long as the United States was the economic primus inter pares, those arguments were hard to gainsay.

I ne'er heard yet that any of these bolder vices wanted less impudence to gainsay what they did, than to perform it first.

It was hard to make clear what the mate meant, but all to a 22 certain extent understood, and no one ventured to gainsay it.

There was that about me to stir surprise; with those 14 generous days so long gone by, I will not gainsay it.

"I cannot gainsay your statement," the Count de Montego said.

It would seem that he could not gainsay her words, for he made no reply.

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gainsGainsborough