1
as in to deny
to declare not to be true
it can't be gainsaid that most people wish they had more time and money
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to contradict
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of gainsay
Within these rules, the CFPB cannot be gainsaid by anyone — not Congress, the Fed or the president.
—
Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024
It cannot be gainsaid that Biden cooperated and Trump obstructed.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024
There’s a way to gainsay that impression — and inform voters of the rivals’ actual positions on the issues: Put the two candidates side by side on a debate stage for an extended period of time.
—Matthew Yglesias, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2024
None of this is to gainsay the help that western European allies have provided to Ukraine or to minimize the constraints that hamper them from doing more.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for gainsay
Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024
It cannot be gainsaid that Biden cooperated and Trump obstructed.
—Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024
There’s a way to gainsay that impression — and inform voters of the rivals’ actual positions on the issues: Put the two candidates side by side on a debate stage for an extended period of time.
—Matthew Yglesias, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2024
None of this is to gainsay the help that western European allies have provided to Ukraine or to minimize the constraints that hamper them from doing more.
—A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2023
See All Example Sentences for gainsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gainsay
Verb
-
South Korea had its three best attackers denied by European clubs.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Sep. 2025
-
Judge Stark denied Blue Water’s request to extend the timeline, but did give the company access to the Citgo data room used in the process, which doesn’t entirely shut the door on Hernandez’s firm.—
Jordan Blum,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The approvals contradict the International Gymnastics Federation’s (FIG) neutrality conditions detailed in their ad-hoc guidelines.—
Caroline Price,
Forbes.com,
14 Sep. 2025
-
This contradicts the language Paxton has used when discussing these and other firms.—
Kimberly Ross,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Szymon Laks, conductor of one of several male orchestras at Auschwitz-Birkenau, vehemently refuted the notion that music was helpful to anyone in the camp.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
-
Ghana’s officials refuted the claims of the lawyers, saying the individuals were returned to their home nations.—
Filip Timotija,
The Hill,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
In July 2007, he was traded to the Atlanta Braves after rejecting an eight-year, $140 million contract extension.—
Taylor Millard,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Sep. 2025
-
Ukrainians overwhelmingly reject ceding territory.—
Oleksandra Matviichuk,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Gainsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainsay. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share