say

verb

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\ ˈsā

, Southern also ˈse \

said\ ˈsed

, especially when subject follows səd \; saying\ ˈsā-iŋ

\; says\ ˈsez

, sometimes ˈsāz , especially when subject follows səz

Definition of say

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to express in words : state

b : to state as opinion or belief : declare

2a : utter, pronounce

b : recite, repeat say your prayers

3a : indicate, show the clock says five minutes after twelve

b : to give expression to : communicate a glance that said all that was necessary

4 : suppose, assume let's say you're right

intransitive verb

: to express oneself : speak

say uncle

: to admit defeat

that is to say

: in other words : in effect

to say nothing of

: not to mention : and notably in addition will need more time, to say nothing of money

say

noun

plural says\ ˈsāz

, Southern also ˈsez

Definition of say (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : an expression of opinion had my say

2 : a right or power to influence action or decision especially : the authority to make final decisions

3 archaic : something that is said : statement

say

adverb

Definition of say (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : about, approximately the property is worth, say, four million dollars

2 : for example : as if we compress any gas, say oxygen

Other Words from say Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about say

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Synonyms & Antonyms for say

Synonyms: Verb

Synonyms: Noun

Synonyms: Adverb

Antonyms: Adverb

exactly,
precisely

Examples of say in a Sentence

Verb “Is anybody there?” he said. “Good morning,” said the woman behind the counter. I said three words before he interrupted me again. I just stopped by to say hello. He left without saying goodbye. I wanted to say thank you for all you've done for me. She said something about going to the store after work. He said something in French. Anything you say to the police can be used as evidence against you. Don't believe a word he says. Noun Everybody had a say at the meeting. We won't make a decision until all members have had their say. The judge will have the final say on the divorce settlement. He had no say in the matter. Adverb a person consumes, say, 2000 calories a day

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Lolita devotees would say it’s more subversive than infantilizing. — Cecilia D'anastasio, Wired, 2 June 2021 The Canadian Space Agency did not say whether the debris was natural or manmade. — Christine Fernando, USA TODAY, 2 June 2021 That’s not to say that there wasn’t plenty of economic pain last year. — Fortune, 2 June 2021 Most Japanese, including billionaire businessman Masayoshi Son, say it’s time to swallow the financial losses and cancel the Games to protect the nation from a worse pandemic. — Megumi Fujikawa, WSJ, 31 May 2021 Organizers say it’s the largest coordinated effort to save the Western monarch, which spends winters in coastal California, migrates to Central California to breed and then can travel as far as Idaho and Washington and back. — Tara Duggan, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 May 2021 Of course, some would say that there is in fact a security threat over Belarusian airspace. — Julia Buckley, CNN, 30 May 2021 Opponents of the North Carolina bill say it’s a solution in search of a problem. — Fox News, 30 May 2021 Opponents of the North Carolina bill say it’s a solution in search of a problem. — Bryan Anderson, chicagotribune.com, 29 May 2021 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun But City Council would have to approve any projects and voters would get the final say. — Elizabeth Zavala, San Antonio Express-News, 1 May 2021 As a state lawmaker, Girod doesn’t get a say in what happens in Washington, D.C. — oregonlive, 7 Apr. 2021 As the bills are hashed out on the Hill over the coming months, every faction of even one or two or three members will get a say, knowing that an entire bill could go down with just their votes. — Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2021 Plano’s city council will get a final say in approving the zoning changes for the development. — Steve Brown, Dallas News, 17 Mar. 2021 Voters don’t get a say in filling vacancies in the Illinois House. — Greg Bishop, Washington Examiner, 22 Feb. 2021 If the committee approves Burley’s nomination, the full council will get the final say in August. — Joshua Fechter, ExpressNews.com, 30 June 2020 Augustine, said the Legislature would need to approve the movement of gambling permits, and Miami-Dade County voters would get a say in a local referendum. — Skyler Swisher, sun-sentinel.com, 21 May 2021 For better or for worse, Leonard and George will have a large say on whether the Clippers add their names in the league history books during the playoffs. — Mark Medina, USA TODAY, 21 May 2021

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