nay 1 of 2

adverb

ˈnā How to pronounce nay (audio)
Definition of naynext
as in indeed
not merely this but also I was angry—nay, furious—at the way they were treating that poor dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

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nay

2 of 2

noun

1
as in no
a vote or decision against something when the votes were tallied, it was 241 yeas and 54 nays

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for gave a resounding nay to the request for a mixed-company camping trip

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of nay
Adverb
So, coming live from my Van Down By the River, Old Prospector's pickaxe in my right hand, Cowbell in my left, Opera Man wig on my head, El Nino thundering away above it, here are the eight footballers who could, nay should, host SNL. — SI.com, 9 Oct. 2019 And journalists who actually do their jobs are nay-saying trouble-makers who have the temerity to not rely on press releases. — Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2012
Noun
Rand Paul Paul’s office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his nay vote. — Connor Greene, Time, 23 June 2026 But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nay
  1. indeed
  2. no
  3. refusal
  4. certainly
  5. veto
  6. rejection
  7. surely
  8. denial
Adverb
  • The week has indeed offered more drama than anything Netflix will put on its service this year.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 17 Oct. 2026
  • Forty years after two powerful men met in Reykjavík, three women—indeed, three world leaders—came together to continue the conversation.
    — Halla Tómasdóttir, Time, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • The answer seemed to be a firm no, but then Harry moved to the UK, and rumors started up again.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The typical don’t-take-no-for-an-answer strategy that car salespeople use is, unfortunately, very effective.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • The ruling did not, however, address the question of the administration's periodic refusal since the ban to permit CNN's journalists into smaller spaces where the full press corps cannot fit simultaneously, such as Air Force One or the Oval Office.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
  • What makes the guest list truly striking is its refusal to stay neatly within the lines of traditional fashion.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • The song makes clear that while Jake Shane might not be this generation’s Truman Capote, Troye Sivan certainly isn’t either.
    — Harry Tafoya, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2026
  • There’s certainly many of these systems that have been found in nature, but a good number of them have gone on to be developed into useful tools.
    — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • Lamont is required to notify the legislature leaders, who have a veto that never has been used.
    — Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026
  • The City Council voted 33-17 on Wednesday to override Johnson's veto, one vote shy of the 34 required to do so.
    — Todd Feurer, CBS News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • When a property manager rejected a recommended rent, the adviser reviewed the rejection and the justification.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2026
  • If judgment is causing premature rejection of an employee’s approach, the manager can ask what evidence actually supports that judgment.
    — Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • Tyson, a student of boxing history, surely would have appreciated a deeper discussion of the role of the Black heavyweight champion in culture.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Unbearably painful and enraging for the one, surely pretty darn awkward for the other.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • But anyone who, in september, did not believe this D Corp was highly vulnerable, was in very deep denial.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Roy, who has been part of negotiations since 2014, said he’s never seen denials like that before.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of denial

Browse Nearby Words

nawabs
nay
nays
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Cite this Entry

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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