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
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of gainsay
Summer will soon arrive, the skies are sunny and the fields are green; and if a person wants to bet, nobody should gainsay that choice (through regulations, at least).
—
David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for gainsay
David B. McGarry, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for gainsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gainsay
Verb
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The council had previously denied a similar zoning change and conditional use permit that included townhouses in July 2024.—
Fousia Abdullahi,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 May 2026
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Ingram denies any wrongdoing and says the settlement included no admission of liability or fault.—
Chadd Cripe. Produced with AI assistance,
Idaho Statesman,
22 May 2026
Verb
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Djena stood silently nearby while Denise spoke, suppressing the urge to contradict Denise’s lies.—
Yudhijit Bhattacharjee,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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However, prosecutors said his account was contradicted by video of the incident, physical evidence, and accounts by the victims.—
Ashley Killough,
CNN Money,
18 May 2026
Verb
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Cuban officials have angrily refuted the pressure campaign and promised to resist any military intervention with force.—
Patrick Oppmann,
CNN Money,
14 May 2026
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Cento refuted the claims made in the complaint and will seek dismissal of the lawsuit in court, a company spokesperson told The Times on Monday.—
Itzel Luna,
Chicago Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Libby Savill, the deputy chair of Southbank Centre, outright rejected the allegations.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
19 May 2026
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That could be fine if people knew when to rely on AIs and when to reject them.—
Gautam Mukunda,
Mercury News,
19 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Gainsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainsay. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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