Synonym Chooser

How does the verb gainsay differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of gainsay are contradict, contravene, and deny. While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

When is contradict a more appropriate choice than gainsay?

The synonyms contradict and gainsay are sometimes interchangeable, but contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

When might contravene be a better fit than gainsay?

While the synonyms contravene and gainsay are close in meaning, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

When would deny be a good substitute for gainsay?

In some situations, the words deny and gainsay are roughly equivalent. However, deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

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 gainsay For those who believe what their eyes tell them, it cannot be gainsaid that the plague of Jew hatred — always a reliable first symptom of a jihad against Western institutions — has been caused by the surrender of our education systems to the antinomian Left and the collapse of border security. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 21 Dec. 2023 It cannot be gainsaid that the FBI has brought these problems on itself. The Editors, National Review, 12 Dec. 2023 Pelosi in the House was where Alexandra first used show-trial video, making J6 the central illustration of feminist power, yet gainsaying her mother’s involvement in events of that day. Armond White, National Review, 25 Oct. 2023 None of this is to gainsay the help that western European allies have provided to Ukraine or to minimize the constraints that hamper them from doing more. A. Wess Mitchell, Foreign Affairs, 5 July 2023 See All Example Sentences for gainsay
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gainsay
Verb
  • So with his conviction and prison stay, Larson was denied access.
    Savannah Leigh Richardson, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 2025
  • Paxton, during the trial, denied having the affair.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • But the President seemed to contradict the Justice Department memo that suggested there were no more files to be disclosed, instead claiming that there are files but that they were written by his rival predecessors and would only serve as a distraction.
    Chad de Guzman, Time, 14 July 2025
  • But that has contradicted the administration’s own advisories regarding U.S. citizens visiting those countries.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
Verb
  • The story included statements from Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel refuting the premise, but not Bongino.
    Eric Tucker, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2025
  • The memo also concluded that Epstein died by suicide, refuting other claims that there was foul play behind his 2019 death in prison.
    Sarah Fortinsky, The Hill, 10 July 2025
Verb
  • New York Senator Julia Salazar, who was among the electeds observing hearings Thursday called for New Yorkers to reject what is happening inside lower Manhattan immigration courts.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • Last summer, West Ham had a verbal offer of £15m rejected by Al Ittihad for midfielder N’Golo Kante, then 33.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 4 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gainsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainsay. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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