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Gainsay: meaning, definitions and examples

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gainsay

 

[ หˆษกeษชnหŒseษช ]

Verb
Context #1 | Verb

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.
Context #2 | Verb

contradict authority

In a broader context, gainsaying can also mean to oppose or contradict someone in a position of authority or established understanding.

Synonyms

disagree, oppose, refute

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:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น contradizer

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค…เคธเคนเคฎเคค เคนเฅ‹เคจเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช widersprechen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ menyangkal

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ััƒะฟะตั€ะตั‡ะธั‚ะธ

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ zaprzeczaฤ‡

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅ่ซ–ใ™ใ‚‹

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท contredire

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ contradecir

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท karลŸฤฑ รงฤฑkmak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ฐ˜๋ฐ•ํ•˜๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูŠู†ูƒุฑ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ popล™รญt

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ poprieลฅ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ้ฉณ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ oporeฤi

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mรณtmรฆla

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถะพา›า›ะฐ ัˆั‹า“ะฐั€ัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒฌแƒ•แƒ“แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ inkar etmษ™k

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ 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.