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gainsay

[geyn-sey, geyn-sey]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

gainsaid, gainsaying

to deny, dispute, or contradict.
to speak or act against; oppose.

gainsay

/ ɡ��ɪ��ˈ��ɪ /

verb

archaic��(tr) to deny (an allegation, a statement, etc); contradict

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Other Word Forms

gainsayer noun
ungainsaid adjective
��ˈ�� noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, gainsay is from the Middle English word gainsaien. See again, say ¹

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Word History and Origins

Origin of gainsay¹

C13 gainsaien, from gain- _against + saien to _say ¹

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There can be no gainsaying that Boeing has been in a bad way at least since 2018, the last year in which the company booked an annual profit.

From

There’s no gainsaying the hunger of many in the crowd at Chicago’s United Center, and of Democrats across the country, to see Trump behind bars.

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Nor can I gainsay the positions of those who argue that torture is justified in such a case.

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They have provided little to no evidence to validate this drastic divestiture of combined-arms capability, and the war in the Ukraine gainsays this decision.

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As an Episcopal priest, I’d be the last person to gainsay the importance of prayer.

From

gains Gainsborough

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