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
But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 2026 Congress does not have a yay or nay on the merger, but Democratic lawmakers have warned of investigations and other actions, something that will prove much more salient if the party gains control of one or more chambers in the midterms. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 27 Feb. 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
  • Stuart Fails to Save the Universe indeed came up with a fun, clever premise…and then apparently just decided to stop trying there; everything else about the series is totally lackluster.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Nancy Reagan, fearful of losing her husband, did indeed consult an astrologer after Reagan was shot.
    — Tom Nichols, The Atlantic, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • Proportional Data Access​ Finally, the policy engine needs a proportionality check, not just a yes/no gate.
    — Gopichand Mannava, Forbes.com, 12 Aug. 2026
  • Playing loud music and shouting in the halls are also considered big no-nos.
    — Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • As a result of her refusal, the entire kingdom is cursed to live without love and anyone who steps foot inside it is also cursed.
    — Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
  • Phillips 66 has a chemicals joint venture with Chevron that each side has a right of first refusal to acquire wholly; previous efforts to sell the business from both Chevron and Phillips’ end have run into hurdles, other people said.
    — Rohan Goswami, semafor.com, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • The young Moroccan caught the eye at the World Cup and certainly has the potential to become one of the best deep-lying midfielders in the game.
    — Graham Ruthven, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Over the past several years, South Korea has emerged as a world-class military power – not quite on the level of the US or China, but certainly capable of defending itself against North Korea.
    — Brad Lendon, CNN Money, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • In 2023, DeSantis issued a surprise veto of a bipartisan bill that would have led the state fleet to purchase more EVs and save taxpayers money.
    — Emily L. Mahoney, Miami Herald, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Bill 26-0191 changes the veto and override time requirements for the budget and other bills by providing the council more time to potentially override a mayoral veto, thus giving more power to the council.
    — Joseph Landers, Baltimore Sun, 6 Aug. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • Indeed, both candidates prefer the hard work of actually governing over performative posturing, modeling a deliberate rejection of the political fringes.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Not as a rejection of his background, but as an expansion of what that background can hold.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • Two of their best relievers surely would have helped, but each was used so much during the summer win streak that elbow soreness sidelined them.
    — Jen McCaffrey, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2026
  • The neighborhood Just moments from Lamb’s Conduit Street and directly behind the British Museum, the location is surely hard to beat for those seeking a truly London experience.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • That’s because immigration lawyers worry people won’t get a fair shake thanks to frequent denials of bond.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 20 Aug. 2026
  • And, 94, roughly 20%, were medical grievances related to insufficient medical care and denial of medications.
    — Vanessa Romo, NPR, 20 Aug. 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 22 Aug. 2026.

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