as in indeed
not merely this but also
I was angry—nay, furious—at the way they were treating that poor dog
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
1
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
gave a resounding nay to the request for a mixed-company camping trip
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of nay
SI.com, 9 Oct. 2019
And journalists who actually do their jobs are nay-saying trouble-makers who have the temerity to not rely on press releases.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2012
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
The program is set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, but on Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill out of committee (13 ayes, no nays) that would extend the program, and the same major players from the 2013 legislative session are lobbying again to extend and improve the tax credit.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nay
Adverb
So, coming live from my Van Down By the River, Old Prospector's pickaxe in my right hand, Cowbell in my left, Opera Man wig on my head, El Nino thundering away above it, here are the eight footballers who could, nay should, host SNL.
—SI.com, 9 Oct. 2019
And journalists who actually do their jobs are nay-saying trouble-makers who have the temerity to not rely on press releases.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2012
Noun
All this despite the nay-saying of classic-car purists.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
The program is set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, but on Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill out of committee (13 ayes, no nays) that would extend the program, and the same major players from the 2013 legislative session are lobbying again to extend and improve the tax credit.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nay
Adverb
-
The old woman’s face lit with recognition, and what, indeed, were the chances of this?—
Catherine Lacey,
New Yorker,
5 Apr. 2026
-
But, if those were indeed the priorities, they would have been reflected by the fans that showed up more than six hours before game time for the free fan festival the Angels throw before the home opener every year.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The bill passed through the House 82-11, with several Democrats voting no.—
Keely Doll,
Louisville Courier Journal,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Rational fears or no, the fact remains that the 24 acres of Bayfront Park belong right now to a few misfits and derelicts.—
Miami Herald Archives,
Miami Herald,
27 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The golf pro was arrested and charged with a DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test by the local sheriff's department.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
3 Apr. 2026
-
The 82-time PGA Tour winner is charged with driving under the influence with property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test — both misdemeanors.—
Alaa Elassar,
CNN Money,
3 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
O’Leary, who also threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, is feeling locked in on the mound and certainly at the plate.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Angels fans certainly remember Adell knocking a ball over the fence in Texas during his rookie season, for a rare four-base error.—
Jeff Fletcher,
Oc Register,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The legislature attempted, but ultimately failed, to override that veto.—
Nick Coltrain,
Denver Post,
30 Mar. 2026
-
The Minneapolis council attempted to override his veto last week, but fell short of the super-majority needed to do so.—
Frederick Melo,
Twin Cities,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
While not issuing a quick rejection, key conservative justices seemed skeptical of the administration’s arguments for its legality.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2026
-
The legal costs that could be incurred by these private schools would be devastating, with claims motivated more by rejection of beliefs than actual injury.—
Stephen Mitchell,
Baltimore Sun,
2 Apr. 2026
Adverb
-
If traditional doctors don’t promise their patients these things, however, others surely will.—
Dhruv Khullar,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Public outcry shut this down a few years later, but the audience surely knew the reference when Lehrer recorded this song live at Sanders Theater.—
Brett Milano,
Boston Herald,
5 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
One of his most popular early clips featured a Holocaust-denial riff about how many cookies could fit in an oven.—
Antonia Hitchens,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
-
Recently, despite their consistent and ridiculous denials, it was found that Iran had built numerous missiles capable of reaching all over Europe.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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