gainsay

1 to declare not to be true <it can't be gainsaid that most people wish they had more time and money> Synonyms contradict, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, deny, negate, negative, refute, reject, repudiateRelated Words traverse; challenge, confute, disprove, rebut; disagree (with), disputeNear Antonyms accept, adopt, embrace, espouse; affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit; authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verifyAntonyms acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own

2 to make an assertion that is contrary to one made by (another) <repeatedly tried to gainsay me, though every point I made was backed up by facts> Synonyms disagree (with), contradictRelated Words challenge, contest, dispute, question; confute, rebut, refute; cross, fight, oppose, resistNear Antonyms confirm, corroborate, substantiate, verify; attest, authenticate, avouch, certify, testify (to), vouch (for), witnessAntonyms agree (with), concur (with)