naysayer

noun

nay·​say·​er ˈnā-ˌsā-ər 

-ˌser

: one who denies, refuses, opposes, or is skeptical or cynical about something

There are always naysayers who say it can't be done.

nay-saying

ˈnā-ˌsā-iŋ 

noun

Synonyms of naysayer

• cynic
• critic

Examples of naysayer in a Sentence

There are always naysayers who say it can't be done.

those naysayers who attack the integrity of the entire judicial system

Recent Examples on the Web

New York City’s election of Zohran Mamdani as mayor has only supercharged the state’s naysayers, including a public feud by Mamdani and Griffin over taxing the rich. — Jacqui Palumbo, CNN Money, 21 July 2026

But David Vélez has built a $13 billion fortune proving the naysayers wrong. — Jeff Kauflin, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

There have been naysayers about the effectiveness of a Comic-Con panel. — Phillip Molnar, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 July 2026

Whatever a naysayer of the sport in this country wants to say about it, professional soccer and expectations for the national teams are part of the American sports culture now. — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1721, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for naysayer

• assayer
• ballplayer
• betrayer
• bilayer
• bricklayer
• conveyer
• conveyor
• purveyor
• ratepayer
• soothsayer
• surveyor
• taxpayer