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
  • That was indeed the case in ADP’s latest monthly private-sector employment report released Wednesday.
    — Alicia Wallace, CNN Money, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The ancient poet may have thus been surprised to learn that today, time is indeed retrievable—at least somewhat.
    — Margherita Bassi, Popular Science, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • The committed officially adopted the plan — 26 yes, 1 no, 13 abstentions.
    — O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Those four syllables, Va-len-ti-no, were enough to set hearts aflutter.
    — Mark Caro, Chicago Tribune, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • Woods appeared in a Florida court on Wednesday to enter a no-contest plea to charges of reckless driving and refusal to submit to a lawful test.
    — Nicole Fallert, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026
  • After Russia's refusal to pay the award, Naftogaz has been petitioning national courts seeking court orders to seize Russian commercial assets.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • Five to six years ago, certainly, people were not thinking about agentic AI systems that can plan and complete multi-step tasks with little to no human intervention.
    — Zev Fima, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Olsen certainly hurt those around him, too, growing up, especially as his addiction spiraled and his platonic, romantic and familial relationships fell apart.
    — David Oliver, USA Today, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • If Newsom vetoes the bill, the legislature could decide to hold another vote to override the veto.
    — Sofia Williams, Sacbee.com, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Ten houseguests will quickly become nine in one night all without an HOH, veto or BB Blockbuster.
    — Christopher Kuhagen, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • Wilson’s whispering, Kermit-ish cadence juxtaposed with Heems’s audacious bars shorthands the borough’s rejection of one-size-fits-all characterization as one of the most diverse urban centers in the world.
    — Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Some experts say the call for a temporary halt to more approvals should not be taken as a rejection of potential foreign investment in the country, but rather as a mechanism to establish clear rules, especially around transparency.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • At the Ed Sullivan, renovated twice in the past three decades, most of that work has surely been done already.
    — Christopher Bonanos, Curbed, 3 Sep. 2026
  • There’s an incantatory quality to their delivery, which is surely intentional.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • Entry denials have risen sharply over the past year and for reasons that did not constitute grounds for denial previously, including suspicions of anti-Israel views, say Israeli lawyers who represent travelers who were denied entry.
    — Daniel Estrin, NPR, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Read more from Liz on the details of the ADA’s denials and how those involved have reacted.
    — Theresa Gaffney, STAT, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of denial

Browse Nearby Words

nawabs
nay
nays
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Cite this Entry

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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