gainsay

[ geyn-sey, geyn-sey ]

/ ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

Words nearby gainsay

gain ground, gainings, gainless, gainly, gains, gainsay, Gainsborough, 'gainst, Gaiseric, gait, gaited

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use gainsay in a sentence

But it will be a cost, and it will be large -- nobody can gainsay that.
You Still Can't Wish Away the Facts on Immigration Amnesty|David Frum|May 13, 2013|DAILY BEAST
As long as the United States was the economic primus inter pares, those arguments were hard to gainsay.
Obama's G-20 Misfire|Zachary Karabell|November 11, 2010|DAILY BEAST
I ne'er heard yet that any of these bolder vices wanted less impudence to gainsay what they did, than to perform it first.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
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.
Adrift on the Pacific|Edward S. Ellis

There was that about me to stir surprise; with those 14 generous days so long gone by, I will not gainsay it.
The Cruise of the Shining Light|Norman Duncan
"I cannot gainsay your statement," the Count de Montego said.
Under Wellington's Command|G. A. Henty
It would seem that he could not gainsay her words, for he made no reply.
The International Monthly Magazine, Volume 5, No. 1, January, 1852|Various

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

gainsay

Origin of gainsay

OTHER WORDS FROM gainsay

Words nearby gainsay

Words related to gainsay

How to use gainsay in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for gainsay

Derived forms of gainsay

Word Origin for gainsay