naysay

American  

[ney-sey] / ˈneɪˌseɪ /

verb (used with object)

naysaid, naysaying

1. to say nay to; deny; reject; oppose.

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Etymology

Origin of naysay

1765–75; nay + say ¹, or by back formation from naysayer

Explanation

If you've ever wanted to do something and a parent has told you no, you know what naysay means. To naysay is to to refuse or oppose something: for example, a parent might naysay having a hamburger for dinner. Naysay is made up of the parts nay and say. Nay comes from a Scandinavian root, and say comes from an Old English root. The word naysay itself, as a verb, was originally from Scottish English, which makes sense when you look at the etymology, as there has been a lot of Scandinavian influence on Scotland and Northern England. Go ahead and blame the Vikings!

Example Sentences

“You don’t change a culture overnight. The first part of that is acknowledging what has happened. Nobody can naysay or deny or act ignorant anymore.”

From Washington Post • May 23, 2022

“I’m a man first and foremost. I didn’t get this far by listening to all the naysay and doubters. I just come to work and do my job every day.”

From Seattle Times • Oct. 9, 2020

She thought it stank of moisture and car exhaust, but she wouldn’t naysay Sasha.

From Nature • Dec. 17, 2019

If Cameroon’s dismal antics fuelled the fire for those who naysay African football’s progress, Ghana were depressingly swift to provide the ignition.

From The Guardian • Jun. 27, 2014

Then would Sir Godrick have gone his ways, but the poor folk of the thorp prayed him so piteously to abide till the morrow that he had no heart to naysay them.

From The Sundering Flood by Morris, May