Skip to main content

naysayera person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something; a person who habitually expresses negative or pessimistic views

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: a person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something; a person who habitually expresses negative or pessimistic views

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈneɪseɪər/

Example Sentences

  • Every office has that one naysayer who thinks the coffee machine will break civilization.
  • The naysayers said electric cars would never work, but now they're everywhere.
  • Don't be a naysayer; be a maybe-sayer or even a yay-sayer!

naysayer

NOUN

[/ˈneɪseɪər/]

a person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something; a person who habitually expresses negative or pessimistic views

a person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something; a person who habitually expresses negative or pessimistic views
💡 Concept

a person who criticizes, objects to, or opposes something; a person who habitually expresses negative or pessimistic views

The soothsayer sees hope, but the naysayer doubts, while the player wavers!
🎵 Rhyme

The soothsayer sees hope, but the naysayer doubts, while the player wavers!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈneɪseɪər/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈneɪseɪə/

🌳Etymology

Rootnay
Suffix-sayer

Origin

Naysayer is a compound word formed from 'nay' (meaning 'no' or 'refusal') and 'sayer' (meaning 'one who says'). The term emerged in English to describe a person who habitually expresses disagreement, opposition, or negative predictions.

Breakdown

nay (refusal, negative vote) + sayer (one who says, speaker). The word combines the archaic negative response 'nay' with the agent noun 'sayer' (from Old English 'secgan,' to say).

🎵Rhyme

soothsayerplayerlayer
soothsayer
player
layer

🔗Collocations

ignore the naysayers
silence the naysayers
prove naysayers wrong
vocal naysayer
persistent naysayer

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Every office has that one naysayer who thinks the coffee machine will break civilization.

The naysayers said electric cars would never work, but now they're everywhere.

😄 Fun example

Don't be a naysayer; be a maybe-sayer or even a yay-sayer!

The entrepreneur succeeded by turning naysayers into believers through hard work.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

criticskepticpessimistdoubteropponent

Antonyms

supporteroptimistbeliever

Related

cyniccontrariandissenterdetractor

Want to master 19,000+ words?

Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.