nay 1 of 2

adverb

ˈnā How to pronounce nay (audio)
Definition of naynext
as in indeed
not merely this but also I was angry—nay, furious—at the way they were treating that poor dog

Synonyms & Similar Words

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nay

2 of 2

noun

1
as in no
a vote or decision against something when the votes were tallied, it was 241 yeas and 54 nays

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for gave a resounding nay to the request for a mixed-company camping trip

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 nay
Adverb
So, coming live from my Van Down By the River, Old Prospector's pickaxe in my right hand, Cowbell in my left, Opera Man wig on my head, El Nino thundering away above it, here are the eight footballers who could, nay should, host SNL. — SI.com, 9 Oct. 2019 And journalists who actually do their jobs are nay-saying trouble-makers who have the temerity to not rely on press releases. — Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 26 May 2012
Noun
But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026 Congress does not have a yay or nay on the merger, but Democratic lawmakers have warned of investigations and other actions, something that will prove much more salient if the party gains control of one or more chambers in the midterms. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nay
  1. indeed
  2. no
  3. refusal
  4. certainly
  5. veto
  6. rejection
  7. surely
  8. denial
Adverb
  • Men used to go to war indeed, and in gloriously shot 70mm IMAX at that.
    — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 18 July 2026
  • You indeed are obligated only to invite the neighbors back over eventually.
    — Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • The proclamation passed 3-1 with Democratic Commissioner Roderick Miles voting no.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 14, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 14 July 2026
  • And the answer to the second, if the World Cup is any indication, is an emphatic no.
    — Jay Caspian Kang, New Yorker, 14 July 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • Trump has repeatedly criticized Spain over the government’s refusal to commit to NATO’s target of spending 5% of gross domestic product on defense, making numerous threats of trade reprisals.
    — Reuters, NBC news, 17 July 2026
  • The appearance came several months after Roy withdrew from the Berlin Film Festival over its refusal to comment on Gaza.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • An Argentina semifinal win now gives Messi the chance — in what almost certainly will be his final match on the World Cup stage —- to make his country the first back-to-back champion since Brazil in 1958 and ‘62.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • Greek goddess-like beauty is certainly having a moment thanks to the cast of Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.
    — Anna Cafolla, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • Passed on a unanimous tally of 49-0 (two members missed the roll call) means a Mamdani veto would have zero chance of being sustained.
    — New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 17 July 2026
  • As a 10-year veteran who has played the past five consecutive years with the same team, Lindor holds veto power over any potential trade.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 17 July 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • The fact that she was passed over for a promotion by the genial yet unimpressive Baasu (Kunal Dudheker) is not revelatory — women often face these kinds of rejections where qualifications are no substitute for hierarchical comfort.
    — David John Chávez, Mercury News, 17 July 2026
  • Despite the feeling of discouragement that can come with the rejections and even ghostings applicants face, these internships — though sometimes few and far between — still exist.
    — Cami Fateh, Vogue, 15 July 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • The French surely will consider Saturday’s consolation match a massive letdown.
    — Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026
  • And if the lights at Arrowhead are too big for them, surely something could be arranged to have Kauffman be a better fit.
    — Rashad Alexander, Kansas City Star, 16 July 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • After all, 27% of small businesses reported facing a customer data breach, while 26% experienced a ransomware attack or a denial of service attack, according to cybersecurity firm VikingCloud.
    — Liz Knueven, CNBC, 16 July 2026
  • The lawmakers’ request — a moment of bipartisan scrutiny on a controversial federal health care program — comes just one month after a government investigation unearthed a continuing pattern of denials within Medicare Advantage.
    — Casey Ross, STAT, 15 July 2026
Definition of denial

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Cite this Entry

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 21 Jul. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of nay for Spanish Speakers

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