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
  • So, all of that tied together is a surefire confirmation that this is indeed a genuine Georgia O'Keeffe.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Progressives are indeed having a moment in politics, said Chris Zepeda-Millán, a public policy professor at UCLA with expertise in racial and ethnic politics, political activism and social movements.
    — Linh Tat, Daily News, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • The answer seemed to be a firm no, but then Harry moved to the UK, and rumors started up again.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 12 Oct. 2026
  • The typical don’t-take-no-for-an-answer strategy that car salespeople use is, unfortunately, very effective.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • Madrid, a lifelong Republican, voted for Becerra because of GOP candidate Steve Hilton’s refusal to denounce MAGA.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked Norton about the state's refusal to exempt Catholic preschools.
    — Melissa Quinn, CBS News, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • That certainly tells the story of our frustration in the position.
    — Natasha Abellard, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
  • With almost nothing else to talk about, however, the Vicki-versus-Carmella drama will almost certainly make up the bulk of the reunion, which premieres on Thursday and has been limited (rather tellingly) to two parts.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • In the past two elections for governor, Pritzker used the morning after his victory to talk about the fall veto session in Springfield or the transition plan into a new term.
    — Chris Tye, CBS News, 4 Nov. 2026
  • Ford has pledged to bring back bills outgoing Lombardo killed in his record-breaking vetoes, including limiting the number of homes large corporations can buy and giving the state the power to adopt Medicaid negotiated prescription drug prices.
    — Lucia Starbuck, NPR, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • Democrats ousted Republicans from coast to coast, with many surprising places in between, in a decisive rejection of unified GOP control for the promise of something different for the country.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Nov. 2026
  • The Democratic wins in Texas and rejection of data centers in ballots across the country are expected to create hurdles for data center plays.
    — Michelle Fox, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • The House seems almost surely headed for a Democratic handover — the party needs to flip only three seats, and well over a dozen Republican seats are in polling trouble.
    — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The Eilish cameo will surely outweigh all other highlights in the popular vote that is (for once, picture-less) social media.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • And about three-quarters of physicians report that denials have increased over the past five years.
    — Mariska Breland, STAT, 4 Nov. 2026
  • The denial comes as blockchain analytics firms trace billions of dollars in cryptocurrency stolen from Binance through thousands of wallets across multiple blockchains.
    — Jenny Lee, CNBC, 3 Nov. 2026
Definition of denial

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Cite this Entry

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 10 Nov. 2026.

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