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
1
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
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Recent Examples of nay
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
Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
The program is set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, but on Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill out of committee (13 ayes, no nays) that would extend the program, and the same major players from the 2013 legislative session are lobbying again to extend and improve the tax credit.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
All this despite the nay-saying of classic-car purists.
—Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 13 Sep. 2025
The program is set to expire Dec. 31, 2026, but on Wednesday, the Senate Finance Committee advanced a bill out of committee (13 ayes, no nays) that would extend the program, and the same major players from the 2013 legislative session are lobbying again to extend and improve the tax credit.
—Karoline Leonard, Austin American Statesman, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for nay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nay
Adverb
-
The defensiveness disguises the admission that With Heaven on Top does indeed boast a robust production, one teeming with horns and backing vocals, all set to a big beat designed to echo throughout the stadiums Bryan now headlines.—
Stephen Thomas Erlewine,
Pitchfork,
13 Jan. 2026
-
Photos which have survived from the time indeed show Argentine players exuding a Latin glamour.—
John Hopewell,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
If the answer is an unequivocal no?—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
15 Jan. 2026
-
According to a Senate staffer who regularly attended committee meetings, Rubio frequently allowed nominations to proceed without raising objections—then afterward recorded his vote as a no.—
Dexter Filkins,
New Yorker,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Powell argued that the DOJ is using the renovation and Congress’ oversight role of the Fed as a pretext for its probe, asserting the inquiry is because of his refusal to bend to Trump’s demands on interest rates.—
Jared Gans,
The Hill,
12 Jan. 2026
-
But the sleekness, the coy refusal to play the big and obvious dress game, propelled the look into a new definition of cool.—
Rachel Tashjian,
CNN Money,
12 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
Jessie Buckley is almost certainly going to win an Oscar come March.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Skinny Pedro must certainly have fallen victim to some kind of sorcery.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
To become Florida law, bills need to survive committee hearings, pass votes in the House and Senate and avoid the governor’s veto pen.—
Ryan Ballogg,
Miami Herald,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Congress attempted to rein in that authority after the Vietnam War with the War Powers Resolution, passed over Republican President Richard Nixon’s veto.—
Joey Cappelletti,
Chicago Tribune,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The move marks a clear departure from Washington’s earlier stance, which presumed rejection of nearly all such requests.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Jan. 2026
-
Despite this rejection, the board moved forward with plans to take on $2 million in new debt and to allow for more than 500 members to generate more revenue.—
Chase Jordan
January 13,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Jan. 2026
Adverb
-
But Arca always told me to trust him, and surely enough, the song was a hit.—
Jessica Roiz,
Billboard,
8 Jan. 2026
-
In what is surely the most pawsome news of the day, this means there's an entirely new, adorable, and totally adoptable lineup of furry players to root for.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In recent years, Olathe’s seen more projects move forward that could help address the missing middle housing gap, including a City Council approval on Tuesday to build 71 townhome units, despite the Planning Commission recommending denial, Olathe spokesperson Kennedy said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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The president cited the denial of the students’ constitutional rights in federalizing the Arkansas National Guard.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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