Gainsay: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ซ
gainsay
[ หษกeษชnหseษช ]
deny statement
To gainsay is to declare something to be untrue or to deny or dispute a statement. It implies a refusal to accept the truth of something spoken or expressed, often used in formal or literary contexts.
Synonyms
challenge, contradict, deny, dispute.
Examples of usage
- No one dared to gainsay the leader's decision.
- He tried to gainsay the facts presented in the report.
- The evidence was too strong to gainsay.
contradict authority
In a broader context, gainsaying can also mean to oppose or contradict someone in a position of authority or established understanding.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She was not afraid to gainsay her superiors.
- Gainsaying traditional beliefs can lead to controversy.
- He was the first to gainsay the old assumptions.
Translations
Translations of the word "gainsay" in other languages:
๐ต๐น contradizer
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคธเคนเคฎเคค เคนเฅเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช widersprechen
๐ฎ๐ฉ menyangkal
๐บ๐ฆ ััะฟะตัะตัะธัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ zaprzeczaฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๅ่ซใใ
๐ซ๐ท contredire
๐ช๐ธ contradecir
๐น๐ท karลฤฑ รงฤฑkmak
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฐ๋ฐํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ูููุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ popลรญt
๐ธ๐ฐ poprieลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๅ้ฉณ
๐ธ๐ฎ oporeฤi
๐ฎ๐ธ mรณtmรฆla
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะถะพาาะฐ ััาะฐัั
๐ฌ๐ช แแฌแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ inkar etmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ contradecir
Etymology
The word 'gainsay' has its roots in Middle English, stemming from 'agen saien', which means 'to say against'. The prefix 'gain-' derives from Old English 'agan', meaning 'against', while 'say' comes from the Old English 'secgan'. Over time, the word evolved, becoming 'gainsay' by the early 14th century. It has remained in use in English literature, particularly in formal writing and legal contexts, reflecting its nuanced meaning of denial or contradiction. The term often appears in the context of discourse, where challenging or disputing a statement is necessary, thus highlighting its relevance in both conversation and debate.
Word Frequency Rank
At rank #28,570, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.
- ...
- 28567 cheeky
- 28568 indissolubly
- 28569 ditched
- 28570 gainsay
- 28571 nub
- 28572 odyssey
- 28573 agnosticism
- ...