variants
or nos
1
as in nays
a vote or decision against something
though I wanted spaghetti for dinner, the consensus was a decisive no
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusals
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
gave him a polite no when he asked her to dance
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 noes
The list of noes from top free agents since then is not insignificant.
—
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The winningest teams lose and Hollywood, there's so many nos.
—Outside Online, 10 Sep. 2025
Some guys have been immediate nos.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Here, Southern designers weigh in with insights on outdated bedding colors that are hard nos in their book.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
The winningest teams lose and Hollywood, there's so many nos.
—Outside Online, 10 Sep. 2025
Some guys have been immediate nos.
—James Parker, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2025
Here, Southern designers weigh in with insights on outdated bedding colors that are hard nos in their book.
—Sarah Lyon, Southern Living, 27 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for noes
Noun
-
With Cornyn not on the floor, the vote for more than 25 minutes was stuck at 56 ayes and 40 nays, with three other GOP senators, Rick Scott of Florida, Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Mike Lee of Utah, not voting, for unclear reasons.—
Emily Wilkins,Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
10 Nov. 2025
-
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the decision following an endorsement from the Chamber of Deputies and a Senate vote that saw 76 ayes, five nays and 35 abstentions.—
Kate Nishimura,
Sourcing Journal,
3 Sep. 2019
Noun
-
After three years of refusals, Kalshi finally sued the regulatory agency and won — just in time for the 2024 presidential election.—
Kelli María Korducki,
thehustle.co,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
The family has had three rejections so far.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
-
The partial rejections were issued March 9 by EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who agreed with the environmental group that the six air permits were insufficient.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Pritzker has said those denials were politically motivated.—
Chris Tye,
CBS News,
30 Mar. 2026
-
Her covert affair with Davis became big news when a Chicago gossip columnist wrote a detailed account of their relationship in early 1958, including their plans to wed, despite their denials.—
Glenn Garner,
Deadline,
28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Noes.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/noes. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
