Gainsay

Quick meaning: Gainsay is a verb meaning (transitive, formal) To say something in contradiction to.

Meaning

(transitive, formal) To say something in contradiction to.

Example Sentences

So she had, cried Scrooge. You’re right. I will not gainsay it, Spirit. God forbid!

The supreme court, therefore, may assume jurisdiction over subjects and between parties, not allowed by the constitution, and there is no power in the federal government to gainsay it.

And there was something childlike about Griffith, too, even in his Matlock days, as a deceptively sharp 'simple country lawyer,' a big-kid boyishness that did not mask his intelligence or gainsay his authority.

[…]vve are able with playne demonſtration to proue, and vvith reaſon to perſvvade that in tymes paſt our fayth vvas alike, that then vve preached thinges correſpondent vnto the forme of faith already publiſhed of vs, ſo that none in this behalfe can repyne or gayneſay vs.

Word Forms

• gainsays
• gainsaying
• gainsaid

Synonyms for gainsay

Depending on context, synonyms include controvert, deny, dispute, refute, withsay, challenge.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include dispute, challenge, contradict, disprove, refute, negate.

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