naysayer

noun nay·say·er \ ˈnā-ˌsā-ər , -ˌser \

Definition of naysayer

: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

play \ˈnā-ˌsā-iŋ\ noun

See naysayer defined for English-language learners

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 of naysayer from the Web

That same sense of conviction, despite the naysayers, is what made Brohm feel the Purdue job was the right choice.

— danielle lerner, The Courier-Journal, "Jeff Brohm: 'I want to be a difference-maker' at Purdue," 14 Aug. 2017
The film begins with a sampling of naysayers — and to be sure, Trump isn’t the only one.

— jocelyn noveck, idahostatesman, "‘An Inconvenient Sequel’ balances urgency, hope," 10 Aug. 2017
But thanks to a lot of hard work and timely help from heavy hitters in the scientific community, Pray is a lot farther along toward her goal than the naysayers ever thought possible.

— zahra ahmad, Science | AAAS, "Competition helps college students find a place in science," 12 July 2017
And Ewing went on to become a Hall of Famer despite a chorus of naysayers.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Where Are They Now: Meet TBT's Stars (Again)," 7 July 2017
JL: Jelena Ostapenko will not fizzle out in the first round, but rather, make a run deep into the second week, silencing the doubters and the haters and the naysayers.

— the si staff, SI.com, "Wimbledon 2017 preview roundtable: Predictions, dark horses, more," 30 June 2017
These Brewers don’t care much about the naysayers from the outside.

— tom haudricourt, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Haudricourt: It might defy logic, but Brewers built team chemistry early while rebuilding," 24 June 2017
There have been plenty of naysayers and people with doubts.

— joey nolfi, PEOPLE.com, "RuPaul's Drag Race Runner-Up Has Message for Haters: 'Eat Your Words, B----!'," 24 June 2017
Why There Is Debate Municipal broadband has its naysayers.

— Fox News, "Are City-Owned Municipal Broadband Networks Better?," 20 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'naysayer.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of naysayer

1721

naysayer Synonyms

Synonyms

misanthrope, cynic, pessimist

Related Words

misandrist, misogynist; doubter, negativist, skeptic; belittler, critic, derider, detractor, scoffer; malcontent; defeatist, quitter

Near Antonyms

optimist, Pollyanna, positivist; idealist, sentimentalist

NAYSAYER Defined for English Language Learners

naysayer

noun

Definition of naysayer for English Language Learners

: a person who says something will not work or is not possible : a person who denies, refuses, or opposes something

Learn More about naysayer

See words that rhyme with naysayer Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for naysayer Nglish: Translation of naysayer for Spanish speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up naysayer? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show

naysayer

Definition of naysayer

nay-saying

Examples of naysayer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of naysayer from the Web

First Known Use of naysayer

naysayer Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

NAYSAYER Defined for English Language Learners

naysayer

Definition of naysayer for English Language Learners

Learn More about naysayer

Seen and Heard

WORD OF THE DAY

burke

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Test Your Vocabulary

Words at Play

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

The Synonyms 'Discover' and 'Invent'

I'll Have the Us(ual)

The Origins of 'Lobbyist'

Ask the Editors

Words of the Year: 1066

How Often Is 'Biweekly'?

Irregardless

Weird Plurals

Word Games

The Exceptions Quiz III

Forms of Government Quiz

Spell It

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066

naysayer

Definition of naysayer

nay-saying

People Are Reading

Examples of naysayer in a Sentence

Recent Examples of naysayer from the Web

First Known Use of naysayer

naysayer Synonyms

Synonyms

Related Words

Near Antonyms

NAYSAYER Defined for English Language Learners

naysayer

Definition of naysayer for English Language Learners

Learn More about naysayer

Seen and Heard

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games

Learned Fools: On Names for Students

Trending: NY Times: Trump's Call Ignites 'Imbroglio'

The Exceptions Quiz III

17 English Words that Come From Japanese

Words of the Year: 1066