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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.
On Reddit, parents vent about grandparents who insist on physical affection even when kids say no. Rheana Murray, The Atlantic, 26 Nov. 2025 But housing officials say no residents will be forced to leave the West End when the sale goes through. Scott Wartman, Cincinnati Enquirer, 22 Nov. 2025 Ken would go on a recce and would say no to a location if the light wasn’t naturally coming in as backlight. Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 16 Nov. 2025 Let this lunar energy be a permission slip to say no, log off, close the tab, and take the long way home. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 9 Nov. 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 30 Nov. 2025.

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