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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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Rounding out his vetoes Wednesday, Polis nixed Senate Bill 184.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
4 June 2026
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In fact, Hilton is envisioning vetoes putting lawmakers on record; the last time a session in Sacramento overrode a veto was in 1979.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
30 May 2026
Noun
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Under former Commissioner Marty Makary, who resigned last month, several initial rejections were issued to companies seeking to market rare disease drugs and gene therapies.—
Ed Silverman,
STAT,
2 June 2026
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Tuesday's rejections bring Polis' veto total for the year to nine, two shy of his single-year record.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
2 June 2026
Noun
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Friedkin, who died in 2023 and is seen only in archival interviews, now seems disingenuous in some of his denials that the film was exploitative, especially with regard to the murder that inspired it.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
6 June 2026
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The survey, which included responses from nearly 4,600 adults ages 19 to 64, looked at both prior authorization denials (before care) and claim denials (after care).—
O. Rose Broderick,
STAT,
5 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nays.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nays. Accessed 10 Jun. 2026.
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