gainsay — to deny, dispute, or contradict; to declare to be untrue or invalid
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to deny, dispute, or contradict; to declare to be untrue or invalid
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/
Example Sentences
- Even his biggest critics cannot gainsay his dedication to the project.
- There's no gainsaying that pineapple on pizza is the most controversial food debate of our time.
- The student tried to gainsay the professor's theory, but lacked sufficient evidence.
gainsay
VERB[/ˈɡeɪnˌseɪ/]
to deny, dispute, or contradict; to declare to be untrue or invalid
No one dared gainsay the veteran judge's final verdict in the courtroom.
When truth shows the way, none can gainsay what you say!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Middle English gainsaien, combining the prefix 'gain-' (meaning against or opposite, from Old Norse 'gegn') with 'say' (from Old English 'secgan' meaning to speak or tell). The word literally means to speak against something.
Breakdown
gain- (against, opposite) + say (speak) = gainsay (to speak against, deny, or contradict)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“Even his biggest critics cannot gainsay his dedication to the project.”
“There's no gainsaying that pineapple on pizza is the most controversial food debate of our time.”
“The student tried to gainsay the professor's theory, but lacked sufficient evidence.”
“Nobody can gainsay the fact that cats have successfully trained humans to be their servants.”
📚Related Words
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