NAY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

nay 1 of 2

adverb

ˈnā

Definition of nay

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

Relevance

nay

2 of 2

noun

as in no

a vote or decision against something when the votes were tallied, it was 241 yeas and 54 nays

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Rand Paul Paul’s office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his nay vote. — Connor Greene, Time, 23 June 2026 But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for nay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nay

Adverb

And while this gentle reader, writer, and watcher was never worried that star Ella Bruccoleri would indeed be joined by co-star Dónal Finn for the new special, consider the Hayward reunion officially official today.

— Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 19 Sep. 2026
The destination of our hapless hero, a courier (Austin Abrams, absolutely awesome) who must transport an important package between medical facilities, is indeed the game’s residentially evil homebase of Racoon City.

— David Fear, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2026

Definition of indeed

Noun

According to Smith, some properties showed little-to-no concerning readings, while other properties, such as Liguori's, had elevated levels of benzo(a)pyrene, lead and dioxins – all of which are carcinogens.

— Allen Devlin, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2026
Proposition 41, which is pitched as a government transparency measure requiring auditor approval for new tax proposals but would nullify the billionaire tax, carried 51% of voters in the poll, against 44% no and 5% undecided.

— Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of no

Noun

To Diana, who has taken over First Desk at the Park after last season’s events, River’s refusal to take bereavement leave gives her license to speak about his grandfather’s funeral arrangements with her usual cool formality.

— Scott Tobias, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2026
That refusal to chase the noise has shaped a career spanning four decades.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of refusal

Adverb

None of the resolutions have made it to the president's desk, where Trump would almost certainly veto the measure.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 17 Sep. 2026
Standing in the backyard of a house situated near a neighboring golf course, rider screams are certainly audible, and residents said the consistency of them is destroying their quality of life.

— Todd Martens, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of certainly

Noun

With breathtaking speed, a little over a month after the Good Earth casting rejection, Wong left Hollywood to fulfill her lifelong dream of visiting China.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 17 Sep. 2026
Maybe, then, the work isn’t so much a project, but a lifelong mission, an analogue rejection of video being the medium of instant gratification.

— Elisabeth Garber-Paul, Rolling Stone, 16 Sep. 2026

Definition of rejection

Adverb

Both were competitive, and huge television ratings will surely follow.

— Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026
Zendaya was surely hard to miss on the red carpet, dazzling in a custom Prada gown embellished with what appeared to be silver sequins and appliqués and sheer white fabric at the low-cut neckline.

— Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of surely

Noun

Hamilton's denial follows a report Tuesday in Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera which said Hamilton had asked for changes to Ferrari's trackside staff and that his relationship with team principal Fred Vasseur was strained.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Sep. 2026
About a third of mortgage denials for primary home purchases with conventional loans in 2025 were due to a lack of credit history, according to Zillow’s analysis of 2025 Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data.

— Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of denial

Browse Nearby Words

nawabs

nay

nays

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Style

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 22 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of nay

adverb

noun

Example Sentences

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