say 1 of 3

verb

ˈsā How to pronounce say (audio)
Definition of saynext
1
as in to tell
to express (a thought or emotion) in words why don't you just say what's on your mind?

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Relevance

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2
as in to express
to convey in appropriate or telling terms I'm not quite sure how to say this, but that's the worst essay I've ever read

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3
as in to recite
to give from memory say your prayers

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to assume
to take as true or as a fact without actual proof let's say, for the sake of argument, that this is true

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say

2 of 3

adverb

as in about
close to but not exactly a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

say

3 of 3

noun

as in share
the right to express a wish, choice, or opinion even if they decide otherwise, at least I had my say

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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 say
Verb
The company said its team can currently build a robot in about a day, with a target of reducing the process to roughly an hour next year. — Jijo Malayil, Interesting Engineering, 15 Oct. 2026 Moncler was founded in 1952 in Monestier-de-Clermont, and the mountains are not only the brand’s physical birthplace, but are also symbolic of its goal to aim higher, Ruffini has often said. — Luisa Zargani, Footwear News, 15 Oct. 2026
Adverb
The result has been a group of ridiculously talented dancers with a never-say-quit attitude and a lot of stuff to say — and doing it elegantly. — Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026
Noun
Each time, the nation’s highest court ruled against the 2025 map, setting the stage for the voters to have the final say on the boundaries next month. — Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 7 Oct. 2026 Partners must divide responsibilities, delegate to each other and determine who has the final say when their territories overlap. — Leslie John, CNBC, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for say
Recent Examples of Synonyms for say
  1. tell
  2. express
  3. recite
  4. assume
  5. about
  6. share
  7. talk
  8. phrase
Verb
  • Some economists, including researchers at the Minneapolis Fed, argue the data don’t tell such a clean story.
    — Molly A. Wallace, Fortune, 16 Oct. 2026
  • The company agrees with skeptics like the NFL that justices must eventually opine on whether states and tribes should regulate its sports event contracts as sports bets, a Supreme Court litigator working with Kalshi told Semafor.
    — Eleanor Mueller, semafor.com, 16 Oct. 2026
Definition of tell
Verb
  • Orantes also expressed frustration with the handling of her father’s arrest — to which federal authorities had clearly alerted some media, who were brought along for the raid.
    — Kevin Rector, Los Angeles Times, 20 Oct. 2026
  • When Seyfried expressed a sudden impulse to play Holmes again, the next phase of the documentary began to take shape.
    — Alex Barasch, Vulture, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of express
Verb
  • The arc of this feud is now well known to all and will no doubt be shaped into the epic poetry our descendants recite in front of bonfires long after our civilization collapses.
    — Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In Lima, Peruvians crossed themselves and recited the rosary before a life-size silicone statue of the pontiff outside a church.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of recite
Verb
  • The film follows a Polish burglar who assumes the identity of a dead stranger’s girlfriend, with unexpected results.
    — Georg Szalai, HollywoodReporter, 18 Oct. 2026
  • And, of course, anyone who remembers the optimistic hordes streaming up Michigan Avenue after Barack Obama made his victory speech for president of the United States in Grant Park well knows the local benefits of a Chicagoan assuming the presidency.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of assume
Adverb
  • In Lyon, France's third-largest city where about 20,000 protesters joined the march, a fire broke out inside a tourist office.
    — SYLVIE CORBET, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The incident occurred along the 3700 block of Gardenia Avenue, where police received a call about two shots being fired in a nearby residence, Long Beach Police said in a statement.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 18 Oct. 2026
Definition of about
Noun
  • As financial markets have become more accessible, consumers have begun trading sophisticated financial instruments, purchasing fractional shares and gaining exposure to alternative assets in minutes.
    — Aneri Jambusaria, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • The Buss family is asking a superior court judge to dismiss Jeanie Buss’ petition to block Lakers share sale.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of share
Verb
  • Conservatives have talked for years about the need to downsize the federal leviathan.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Oct. 2026
  • Kevin Warsh wants the Fed to talk less and to force investors to look at the numbers and make their own decisions.
    — Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of talk
Verb
  • What is all Jeanie’s posting if not an attempt to think in public, to be reified into something other than, as the characters of Degenerates might phrase it, an NPC in her own life?
    — Sara Holdren, Vulture, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Jackson’s warm tone and phrasing complement Dylan’s catalog beautifully.
    — Bret Saunders, Denver Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of phrase

Phrases Containing say

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saxophonists
say
sayer
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Cite this Entry

“Say.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/say. Accessed 21 Oct. 2026.

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