Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gainsay differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gainsay are contradict, contravene, and deny. While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

When is contradict a more appropriate choice than gainsay?

The synonyms contradict and gainsay are sometimes interchangeable, but contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

When might contravene be a better fit than gainsay?

While the synonyms contravene and gainsay are close in meaning, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

When would deny be a good substitute for gainsay?

In some situations, the words deny and gainsay are roughly equivalent. However, deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of gainsay Within these rules, the CFPB cannot be gainsaid by anyone — not Congress, the Fed or the president. Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024 It cannot be gainsaid that Biden cooperated and Trump obstructed. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024 There’s a way to gainsay that impression — and inform voters of the rivals’ actual positions on the issues: Put the two candidates side by side on a debate stage for an extended period of time. Matthew Yglesias, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2024 None of this is to gainsay the help that western European allies have provided to Ukraine or to minimize the constraints that hamper them from doing more. A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for gainsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gainsay
Verb
  • The organization denied any criminal activity.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Peng denies such ties, and says Pony’s Chinese expertise may give it advantages in the US — despite the hostile political climate.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • His recommendation directly contradicts the current medical consensus that judicious Tylenol use in pregnancy remains safe.
    Edith Bracho-Sanchez, CNN Money, 26 Sep. 2025
  • The eyewitnesses — boaters who were on the scene immediately after the crash, before first responders — contradicted several key aspects of the FWC report.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • These findings refuted longstanding preconceived beliefs about humans and animals.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 1 Oct. 2025
  • The appellate court's decision refuted multiple issues with Avery's arguments.
    Kelli Arseneau, jsonline.com, 1 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Prosecutors also sought another charge of making false statements, court documents released Thursday show, but the grand jury rejected it.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 26 Sep. 2025
  • ByteDance and TikTok had challenged the law on First Amendment grounds but the Supreme Court rejected its appeal.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gainsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainsay. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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