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2
as in refusals
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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Recent Examples of nays
With Cornyn not on the floor, the vote for more than 25 minutes was stuck at 56 ayes and 40 nays, with three other GOP senators, Rick Scott of Florida, Wisconsin’s Ron Johnson and Mike Lee of Utah, not voting, for unclear reasons.
—
Emily Wilkins,dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the decision following an endorsement from the Chamber of Deputies and a Senate vote that saw 76 ayes, five nays and 35 abstentions.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Emily Wilkins,dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Nov. 2025
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced the decision following an endorsement from the Chamber of Deputies and a Senate vote that saw 76 ayes, five nays and 35 abstentions.
—Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nays
Noun
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The list of noes from top free agents since then is not insignificant.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
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The winningest teams lose and Hollywood, there's so many nos.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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After three years of refusals, Kalshi finally sued the regulatory agency and won — just in time for the 2024 presidential election.—
Kelli María Korducki,
thehustle.co,
3 Apr. 2026
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Despite the Reina Sofía’s many refusals to lend the work to various institutions around the world, its rebuff of the Guggenheim’s request carries a particular sting because the Basque Country has long held that the painting belongs in the place where the depicted tragedy occurred.—
News Desk,
Artforum,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Legislators' goal is to get the bill approved and sent to Beshear by the end of the month, so any vetoes from the governor can be overridden when lawmakers gavel back in briefly in mid-April.—
Lucas Aulbach,
Louisville Courier Journal,
18 Mar. 2026
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That will be considered by the rest of the Legislature on Thursday, the final day of the annual legislative session except for a day to consider vetoes from the governor on March 30.—
Meghan O'Brien & Seth Tupper,
States Newsroom,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The family has had three rejections so far.—
Morgan Rynor,
CBS News,
24 Mar. 2026
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The partial rejections were issued March 9 by EPA administrator Lee Zeldin, who agreed with the environmental group that the six air permits were insufficient.—
Noelle Phillips,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Recently, despite their consistent and ridiculous denials, it was found that Iran had built numerous missiles capable of reaching all over Europe.—
Bobby Zirkin,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Apr. 2026
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Fishbein went a second round with Shaban to cut through the fog of denials.—
Kevin Rennie,
Hartford Courant,
4 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nays. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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