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
  • Oh, and Vienna’s the most livable city in the world, according to The Economist—and the quality of life inside the Rosewood is very good indeed.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026
  • But the basic desire for this film was indeed the contrast between a specific territory and this group of young people.
    — David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 11 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
  • That refusal to let escape read as simple freedom extends to how Roy treats her characters’ circumstances more broadly.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 8 Sep. 2026
  • In England, boxer Jane Couch took the British Board of Boxing Control to an industrial tribunal over their refusal to grant her (or any woman) a professional boxing licence.
    — Sarah Shephard, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • Indeed, scientists believe that, regardless of whether 2026 breaks the record for hottest year ever, 2027 almost certainly will do so because of the El Niño conditions.
    — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 10 Sep. 2026
  • When Washington plays at Philadelphia, Drew Stevens will almost certainly become the eighth.
    — Barry Svrluga, New York Times, 9 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
  • Asked whether Kraken players take rejections like Robertson’s personally, center Matty Beniers didn’t hesitate for a second.
    — Mark Lazerus, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • Protecting someone’s right to reject the American experiment is different from treating that rejection as simply another interpretation of it.
    — Joe Daniels, Time, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • Duren just watched Thompson’s twin brother sign his extension with the Rockets and surely understands that his contract, or lack thereof, has an inevitable ripple effect on Thompson’s deal.
    — Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
  • That dichotomy surely reflected, consciously or not on Schubert’s part, the circumstances of his life and contradictions of his character.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • And to me, that denial is one factor that contributes to the crimes persisting.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026
  • By the film’s close, Hoffman said, Sally has moved past denial for good.
    — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 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 15 Sep. 2026.

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