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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show current usage.
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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
-
That’s the next big step for San Diego State’s men’s basketball team and its boosters if Saturday’s 73-62 loss indeed denies the Aztecs a sixth consecutive berth in the NCAA Tournament.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Less than two months later, the DNA tests came back — Jane Doe was indeed Sheila Ramsey.—
Rocco Parascandola,
New York Daily News,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Normally his stance is a hard no.—
Julie Vadnal,
Architectural Digest,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Griffith precincts 01 and 01-A will vote in the North Fire Station no.—
Alexandra Kukulka,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In its refusal to adhere to a particular theme or sound, Paris in the Spring comes across as a little diffuse, but when everything locks in, the results are transcendent.—
Molly Mary O’Brien,
Pitchfork,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Remember the governor’s refusal to shake the speaker’s hand on Opening Day in January?—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
14 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Stack is the sly and cunning one, chatty and quick to grin, unlike his brother, yet certainly with things weighing on him as well.—
Brian Truitt,
USA Today,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Sometimes the coat is the outfit, and this one certainly meets the moment.—
Minty Mellon,
Vogue,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Cleveland's most lasting mark came from his use of the veto pen.—
Jacob Lane The Chicago Tribune,
Arkansas Online,
17 Mar. 2026
-
However, the coalition would need at least 34 votes to override a potential mayoral veto of their ordinance, which seeks to halt the policy that servers be paid the city’s full minimum wage on top of tips starting in July 2028.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.—
Dimitris Tsementzis,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Gnecco said getting rejections from potential partners and having a business concept that everyone may not understand doesn’t make life as a company executive easy.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Adverb
-
Other players considering San Diego State would surely notice.—
Tom Krasovic,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Sabalenka surely will be looking to avenge that one as well as her 0-2 record in Indian Wells finales.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Eighteen Nebraska athletes pursuing arbitration against the College Sports Commission over the denial of NIL deals are being represented by law firm Husch Blackwell through a joint representation arrangement with their university.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
14 Mar. 2026
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Swayman was forced to make several good saves, the best of which was his denial of Timothy Liljegren’s one-timer from the middle of the slot.—
Steve Conroy,
Boston Herald,
14 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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