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gainsay

gain·say
G g

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [geyn-sey, geyn-sey]
    • /ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ/
    • /ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [geyn-sey, geyn-sey]
    • /ˈgeɪnˌseɪ, geɪnˈseɪ/

Definitions of gainsay word

  • verb with object gainsay to deny, dispute, or contradict. 1
  • verb with object gainsay to speak or act against; oppose. 1
  • noun gainsay Deny or contradict (a fact or statement). 1
  • transitive verb gainsay contradict, deny 1
  • verb gainsay If there is no gainsaying something, it is true or obvious and everyone would agree with it. 0
  • verb gainsay to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict 0

Information block about the term

Origin of gainsay

First appearance:

before 1250
One of the 11% oldest English words
First recorded in 1250-1300, gainsay is from the Middle English word gainsaien. See again, say1

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Gainsay

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

gainsay popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 77% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

gainsay usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for gainsay

verb gainsay

  • contravene — To contravene a law or rule means to do something that is forbidden by the law or rule.
  • traverse — to pass or move over, along, or through.
  • impugn — to challenge as false (another's statements, motives, etc.); cast doubt upon.
  • combat — Combat is fighting that takes place in a war.
  • disclaim — to deny or repudiate interest in or connection with; disavow; disown: disclaiming all participation.

Antonyms for gainsay

verb gainsay

  • aid — Aid is money, equipment, or services that are provided for people, countries, or organizations who need them but cannot provide them for themselves.
  • assist — If you assist someone, you help them to do a job or task by doing part of the work for them.
  • concur — If one person concurs with another person, the two people agree. You can also say that two people concur.
  • consent — If you give your consent to something, you give someone permission to do it.
  • permit — to allow to do something: Permit me to explain.

Top questions with gainsay

  • what does gainsay mean?
  • what is gainsay?
  • what is the meaning of gainsay?

See also

Matching words

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