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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
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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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On the framework amendment, there were 12 Republican noes.—
Hailey Bullis,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
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The list of noes from top free agents since then is not insignificant.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The performance lives in tiny hesitations, fleeting glances and emotional refusals.—
Scott Roxborough,
HollywoodReporter,
14 May 2026
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Judge Panici, visibly frustrated with Talley’s refusals to answer his questions, ordered Talley held in custody until then.—
Caroline Kubzansky,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Kemp vetoes bills that would have doled out more than $235M in tax breaks over the next five years.—
Adam Beam,
AJC.com,
14 May 2026
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The House was unwilling to override two vetoes earlier this year on legislation that passed unanimously.—
Caitlin Yilek,
CBS News,
16 Apr. 2026
Noun
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Despite the controversy around recent drug rejections, the pharmaceutical industry appears wary about a shakeup at the top of the FDA.—
Annika Kim Constantino,Angelica Peebles,
CNBC,
12 May 2026
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Further rejections came from Streisand, Cher, and Diana Ross.—
CT Jones,
Rolling Stone,
11 May 2026
Noun
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The filing includes email correspondence between the PTPA and the two federations, detailing the denials.—
Ava Wallace,
New York Times,
18 May 2026
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Ruth Getachew oversees consumer assistance at the insurance administration and her team helps residents navigate denials and billing disputes for free.—
Davi Jacobs,
Baltimore Sun,
13 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nays. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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