say no

idiom

: to say that one will not accept or agree to something
We requested more time, but she said no.
often + to
She said no to our request.
I never say no to dessert.

Examples of say no in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Greenland and its Danish patron, a NATO ally that is no match militarily for the USA, say no. Nic Robertson, CNN Money, 29 Apr. 2025 No, no, and unclear, but Joe is too smitten to say no. Jessica M. Goldstein, Vulture, 24 Apr. 2025 There’s no one protecting him because there’s no one there willing to say no to him. Marina Watts, People.com, 17 Apr. 2025 Who can say no to long days on one of the best beaches in South Carolina? Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for say no

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Cite this Entry

“Say no.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say%20no. Accessed 3 May. 2025.

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