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

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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

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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
Rand Paul Paul’s office also did not immediately respond to a request for comment on his nay vote. — Connor Greene, Time, 23 June 2026 But my curiosity proved stronger than my nay-saying. — Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 8 May 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
  • Turkey has indeed taken some steps to limit aviation ties with Iran.
    — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • On paper, the Republican senator from Missouri’s idea of punishing labs or users who have indeed acted recklessly or negligently while developing or deploying AI systems is a good one.
    — Letters to the Editor, Washington Post, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of indeed
Noun
  • The typical don’t-take-no-for-an-answer strategy that car salespeople use is, unfortunately, very effective.
    — Evan Moore, Charlotte Observer, 29 Sep. 2026
  • Then Rave smashed a 407-foot no-doubter to right for a 9-5 Royals lead in another high-scoring half inning.
    — PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of no
Noun
  • There are many legitimate reasons to bash Becerra, from his refusal to participate in more debates to his paltry number of public rallies to a platform that sounds like more of what created California’s current woes.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 7 Oct. 2026
  • Plus, Swifties saw Swift and Alwyn’s refusal to make joint public appearances as a red flag.
    — Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of refusal
Adverb
  • Next-level attentiveness from friendly staff certainly helps.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Skydance certainly seems interested in moving quickly to bring back certain franchises.
    — Brent Lang, IndieWire, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of certainly
Noun
  • The proposal out of Paris and Berlin would erect safeguards against those vetoes so the Commission could act faster.
    — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 7 Oct. 2026
  • If that were to happen, experts predict that Hinojosa would use her veto power to stall much of the state legislature’s conservative agenda.
    — Chantelle Lee, Time, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of veto
Noun
  • In her rejection of stereotypically female fashion and her flair for the dramatic, Sanjak definitely would have fit in at Le Monocle.
    — Gaby Iori October 7, Literary Hub, 7 Oct. 2026
  • In April, Americans for Financial Reform’s Education Fund released a study stating that the bank’s mortgage rejection rates for minorities in Charlotte and North Carolina far outpaced those of white applicants.
    — Chase Jordan October 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Oct. 2026
Definition of rejection
Adverb
  • Those who study these things say an export ban would surely backfire.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026
  • When people say that Buenos Aires is the Paris of South America, surely the hotel that comes to mind is the Alvear.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
Definition of surely
Noun
  • The denial comes in a record-breaking year for severe weather in Illinois, which leads the nation with about 212 tornadoes confirmed by the National Weather Service so far this year, according to Pritzker’s office.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Oct. 2026
  • The notice may identify whether the action is a suspension, revocation, denial, or disqualification; cite the statutory or administrative basis for the action; state its effective date; and provide any hearing or petition deadline.
    — Karen Koehler, Kansas City Star, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of denial

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Nay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nay. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

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