Gainsay — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ˌgān-ˈsā/ gain·say

Meaning & Definition of Gainsay

Gainsay (verb)

  1. to declare to be untrue or invalid
  2. contradict, oppose

Gainsay (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to declare not to be true

    "it can't be gainsaid that most people wish they had more time and money"

    similar: contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, negate, negative, refute, reject, repudiate
    related: traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, disagree (with), dispute
    opposite: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own
    near: accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify

  2. to make an assertion that is contrary to one made by (another)

    "repeatedly tried to gainsay me, though every point I made was backed up by facts"

    similar: contradict, disagree (with)
    related: challenge, contest, dispute, question, confute, rebut, refute, cross, fight, oppose, resist
    opposite: agree (with), concur (with)
    near: confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify, attest, authenticate, avouch, certify, testify (to), vouch (for), witness

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Gainsay

The most common words with a similar meaning to Gainsay:

contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, negate, negative, refute, reject, repudiate, disagree (with)

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Gainsay

Words with the opposite meaning of Gainsay:

acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own, agree (with), concur (with)

Related Words for Gainsay

traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, dispute, contest, question, cross, fight, oppose, resist

Near Antonyms of Gainsay

accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify, attest, avouch, certify, testify (to), vouch (for), witness

Word Forms of Gainsay

Inflections: gainsaid, gainsaying, gainsays

Derived words: gainsayer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Gainsay

Middle English yein seyen, gein-seyen "to speak in opposition to, deny," from yein-, gein- "away, back, against, in opposition to" (going back to Old English gēan- "in opposition to," or marking returning or reciprocal action, going back to Germanic *gagna-) + seyen "to say:1" again

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Gainsay

What does "Gainsay" mean?

"Gainsay" means to declare to be untrue or invalid. As a verb, it is defined as: to declare to be untrue or invalid. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Gainsay"?

Other words for "Gainsay" include contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm and disown. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Gainsay" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Gainsay"?

There are 26 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Gainsay". Common alternatives include contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, negate and negative.

What is the opposite of "Gainsay"?

Antonyms of "Gainsay" include acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own and agree (with). Near antonyms include accept, adopt, embrace and espouse.

How do you use "Gainsay" in a sentence?

Examples of "Gainsay" in a sentence: "it can't be gainsaid that most people wish they had more time and money"; "repeatedly tried to gainsay me, though every point I made was backed up by facts".

Is "Gainsay" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Gainsay" is a verb.

How do you pronounce "Gainsay"?

"Gainsay" is pronounced /ˌgān-ˈsā/ and divided into syllables as gain·say.

What is the origin of the word "Gainsay"?

"Gainsay" comes from Middle English yein seyen, gein-seyen "to speak in opposition to, deny," from yein-, gein- "away, back, against, in opposition to" (going back to Old English gēan- "in opposition to," or marking returning or reciprocal action, going back to Germanic *gagna-) + seyen "to say:1" again. First known use: 14th century.