say no

phrase

: 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

Sometimes that means being the one to say no — to the racehorse, the castle in Scotland, the vintage Ferrari. — Claudia Rosenbaum, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026

Now, however, those late goals can be reframed; as the doggedness of winners, the spirit of a team that refuses to say no. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 15 July 2026

Her friend offered a cigarette and Cai, searching her brain for a reason to say no, couldn’t find one. — Jessica M. Goldstein, Washington Post, 14 July 2026

Three men who were riding with Salgado Araujo dispute the government’s account and say no agent was ever in danger. — Andrea Castillo, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

Rhymes for say no

• volcano