NAY Synonyms: 74 Similar and Opposite Words

nay 1 of 2

adverb

ˈnā

Definition of nay

as in indeed

not merely this but also I was angry—nay, furious—at the way they were treating that poor dog

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Relevance

nay

2 of 2

noun

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

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

But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026 Congress does not have a yay or nay on the merger, but Democratic lawmakers have warned of investigations and other actions, something that will prove much more salient if the party gains control of one or more chambers in the midterms. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nay

Recent Examples of Synonyms for nay

Adverb

Our beef tenderloin was tender indeed, served with boniato - Japanese sweet potato - and miso butter.

— Connie Ogle July 31, Miami Herald, 31 July 2026
Infrared illumination through the device indeed triggered photocurrents in those cells.

— Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Definition of indeed

Noun

Only one of its kind The Katsura Imperial Villa was constructed over about 50 years in the early Edo period (1603-1867) by Prince Toshihito and his son, Prince Toshitada, of the then Hachijo-no-miya Imperial family branch.

— Hiroshige Yazawa Japan News, Arkansas Online, 19 July 2026
The vote failed along party lines, with every Democrat present voting no.

— Julia Gledhill, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of no

Noun

The Star alleged the city’s refusal to release the document violated Missouri’s open records law.

— Kacen Bayless, Kansas City Star, 31 July 2026
Conversely, El-Sayed's messaging against the influence of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and refusal of corporate PAC money has compelled voters.

— Christina Zhang, CBS News, 31 July 2026

Definition of refusal

Adverb

Jackson was certainly excited about that after being stepped on during an early part of 2025 training camp caused him to a miss a significant chunk of time.

— Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Emma, on the other hand, certainly knows what that role is — now grown up and a mom herself.

— Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 29 July 2026

Definition of certainly

Noun

The second option is the General Assembly’s annual fall veto session, a six-day stretch where lawmakers can consider vetoes, unresolved legislation and, at times, new bills.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 1 Aug. 2026
The governor, in his veto message, cited affordability concerns.

— Dakota Smith, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

Definition of veto

Noun

The unprecedented proposal, aimed at accelerating investment, faced swift and broad opposition from major confederations like UEFA, CONCACAF, and the AFC, transforming it into a near-global rejection.

— Clemente Lisi, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Spain’s Supreme Court ruled earlier this month that migrants intercepted at sea while attempting to reach Ceuta or Melilla cannot be summarily returned under the enclaves’ special border-rejection regime.

— Jamie Timson, TheWeek, 31 July 2026

Definition of rejection

Adverb

Gavin John Slowly but surely, every building in Fort Albany saw a strand of fiber drop from overhead and come through a box drilled into the wall, ready to connect to a router.

— IEEE Spectrum, IEEE Spectrum, 30 July 2026
Trump would surely claim that the statute of limitations on his criminal charges has expired.

— Chris Brennan, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of surely

Noun

Leto only issued his denial hours after the documentary was released — and even then, the statement was not shared with Radford, Sartenaer, and the team.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 30 July 2026
Several experts said the rule change, if implemented judiciously, could alleviate the backlog without leading to a surge in detentions or denials of valid asylum claims.

— Christopher Cann, USA Today, 30 July 2026

Definition of denial

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nawabs

nay

nays

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Style

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of nay

adverb

noun

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