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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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
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
  1. indeed
  2. no
  3. refusal
  4. certainly
  5. veto
  6. rejection
  7. surely
  8. denial
Adverb
  • Turkey has indeed taken some steps to limit aviation ties with Iran.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • On paper, the Republican senator from Missouri’s idea of punishing labs or users who have indeed acted recklessly or negligently while developing or deploying AI systems is a good one.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • The typical don’t-take-no-for-an-answer strategy that car salespeople use is, unfortunately, very effective.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Then Rave smashed a 407-foot no-doubter to right for a 9-5 Royals lead in another high-scoring half inning.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • The air traffic control operators gave no reason for the earlier refusals.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • First of all, a lot of this is their refusal to just engage in normal legal cooperation under California’s sanctuary state law.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • Not that this strictly counts as stand-up comedy, but certainly a lot of it is in that sphere or involves those skills.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
  • But even if Waldron’s disposition does not give off Master of the Universe vibes, his resumé certainly does.
    — Morgan Chittum, Fortune, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • Wednesday is the deadline for the governor to sign or veto bills.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026
  • In his veto message Sunday, Newsom said the CSU and UC systems already have regularly scheduled meetings where the campus community can express themselves, rendering AB 2551’s open forums unnecessary.
    — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • His concurrence read the panel’s decision as narrower than a categorical rejection of federal access.
    — Kaelan Deese, The Washington Examiner, 1 Oct. 2026
  • However, the film faced rejection from film festivals like Sundance and SXSW, and struggled to secure traditional studio distribution because of its controversial, pitch-black satirical premise about school shootings and social media.
    — Lexi Carson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • With Game 1 in the best-of-three Wild Card Series set to start Tuesday in Atlanta, the Phillies will almost surely have to beat the Braves without a start from Wheeler.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • Boston is likely to start two left-handers in the series, and the Yankees will surely want to deploy lefty-crushing outfielder Heliot Ramos in both games.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • However, Andersen believed the mantra bred a culture of denial.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The missile is intended for missions where aircraft may face anti-access and area-denial systems.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 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 6 Oct. 2026.

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