nay

noun

1

: denial, refusal

2

a

: a negative reply or vote

The nays outnumbered the ayes, and so the measure did not pass.

b

: one who votes no

He voted with the nays.

Synonyms of nay

• no
• veto
• refusal

Examples of nay in a Sentence

when the votes were tallied, it was 241 yeas and 54 nays

gave a resounding nay to the request for a mixed-company camping trip

Recent Examples on the Web

But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. —Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026

Congress does not have a yay or nay on the merger, but Democratic lawmakers have warned of investigations and other actions, something that will prove much more salient if the party gains control of one or more chambers in the midterms. —Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026

With Cornyn not on the floor, the vote for more than 25 minutes was stuck at 56 ayes and 40 nays, with three other GOP senators, Rick Scott of Florida, Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Mike Lee of Utah, not voting, for unclear reasons. —Emily Wilkins,dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025

Colorado's delegation has voted on the funding measures along party lines, including nays lodged again Wednesday by Bennet and Sen. John Hickenlooper, both Democrats. —Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 1 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nay

• ay
• bay
• bey
• brae
• cay
• chez
• dey
• dray
• fay
• fey
• flay
• fray

Kids Definition

nay

1 of 2 adverb

ˈnā 

1

: no entry 1 sense 3

2

: not merely this but also : not only so but

the letter made him happy, nay, ecstatic

nay

2 of 2 noun

1

: denial sense 1, refusal

2

a

: a negative reply or vote

b

: one who votes no