no 1 of 4

adverb

ˈnō How to pronounce no (audio)
Definition of nonext
1
as in never
not in any degree, way, or under any condition this cake is no better than the last one we made

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in none
certainly not in no uncertain terms we were told to leave

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

no

2 of 4

noun

ˈnō How to pronounce no (audio)
1
as in veto
a vote or decision against something though I wanted spaghetti for dinner, the consensus was a decisive no

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for gave him a polite no when he asked her to dance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

no

3 of 4

interjection

as in oh
how surprising, doubtful, or unbelievable no—you can't possibly mean that I failed that test! I studied for days!

Synonyms & Similar Words

no

4 of 4

adjective

as in neither

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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 no
Adverb
For a sense of Nordic style in the skies, look no further than Finnair’s premium economy product. — Jessica Puckett, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Aug. 2026 Just one year later, Major Matt Mason was no more, destined only to be coveted decades later as collectors items . — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Noun
Separate questions also asked if particular foods should be allowed like pizza (76 percent said no), BBQ ribs (84 percent no), and raw fish (91 percent no), but chicken was not on the list. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 14 July 2026 One of the chiefs, Joseph Pawnee-no-pashe (also known as Governor Joe), quiets him. — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 11 July 2026
Interjection
So will sending letters threatening bad faith denial of claim lawsuit to insurance carriers that say no. — Jay Adkisson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026 So, yes, there’s a reason why most people are right handed and no, not all cats hate water and that’s okay. — Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 22 July 2026
Adjective
These healthy no-bake desserts fit perfectly into your lifestyle without heating up your home. — Kristy Alpert, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 May 2026 And when Meta has asked consumers and companies to open their wallets for anything other than ads, the answer has generally been no. — Jonathan Vanian, CNBC, 30 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for no
Recent Examples of Synonyms for no
  1. never
  2. none
  3. veto
  4. refusal
  5. oh
  6. hardly
  7. nay
  8. rejection
Adverb
  • This great, once improbable, step into the unknown has the potential to bring tests against Milan, Juventus and Bayer Leverkusen, and nights like never before at the Stadium of Light.
    — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 22 July 2026
  • Although Iran hasn't focused in recent years on the decree, it was never rescinded.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 July 2026
Definition of never
Adverb
  • Among the historic attractions dotting Route 66, there may be none more hapless and ill fated as the Aztec Hotel in Monrovia.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 30 May 2026
  • Several artists will compete across genre categories, and there may be none more varied than Turnstile.
    — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of none
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 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
Interjection
  • Certain movements may aggravate the pain, such as, oh, swinging a golf club.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
  • Some people think, oh, the show’s about true romance, true love conquering it all.
    — Chris Willman, Variety, 8 June 2026
Definition of oh
Adverb
  • There was praise for his athleticism and pace, but frustrations were voiced by multiple head coaches and his output — five goals and four assists in 53 league appearances — was hardly outstanding.
    — Cerys Jones, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Platforms such as Instagram and YouTube host a new generation of progressive journalists and influencers who command huge audiences, particularly among the young who hardly watch mainstream news channels at all.
    — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of hardly
Noun
  • Al Khafaji’s nay-sayers weren’t wrong to be skeptical about the construction space.
    — Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 15 July 2026
  • Other symptoms nay include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain or bloating.
    — Mary Kekatos, ABC News, 10 July 2026
Definition of nay
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

Phrases Containing no

Browse Nearby Words

nixing
no
no-account
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“No.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/no. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on no

Nglish: Translation of no for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of mitigate

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

How long is a jiffy?

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Dutch Treat and French Leave: Eight Place-Based Compounds

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All