1
a
: one's unsupported assertion or assurance
b
: an authoritative pronouncement
left the hospital on the say-so of his doctor
2
: a right of final decision : say
has the ultimate say-so on what will be taught
Examples of say-so in a Sentence
some of the members complained they didn't have any say-so in how the organization spent its funds
Recent Examples on the Web
Political onlookers seem to think Swift has become so powerful that there’s a chance her say-so might actually swing the needle in a meaningful direction.
—
Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024
For the first time in the United Kingdom’s history, warrants to intercept communications are subject to judicial review; previously, the executive branch could execute these on its own say-so.
—Jennifer Daskal, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2017
The severity of the crisis led Congress to appropriate $700 billion for the Troubled Asset Relief Program largely on the say-so of the Bush administration.
—Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014
So Biden has loyalty — the kind that isn’t switching candidates without his say-so.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
Joe Biden has orchestrated all of it and nobody brings a case without his say-so, which is why his next move was to ensure that his son was arrested for firearm possession.
—Alexandra Petri, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Expanded or not, the existing red light cameras can only function with state lawmakers’ say-so, Rodriguez said.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024
But as president, Mr. Biden has claimed the power to initiate attacks on his say-so alone, whether against China, Iran, the Houthis or otherwise.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2024
Why does Catherine Fox have a say-so in this child’s case?
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 3 May 2024
Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024
For the first time in the United Kingdom’s history, warrants to intercept communications are subject to judicial review; previously, the executive branch could execute these on its own say-so.
—Jennifer Daskal, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2017
The severity of the crisis led Congress to appropriate $700 billion for the Troubled Asset Relief Program largely on the say-so of the Bush administration.
—Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014
So Biden has loyalty — the kind that isn’t switching candidates without his say-so.
—Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
Joe Biden has orchestrated all of it and nobody brings a case without his say-so, which is why his next move was to ensure that his son was arrested for firearm possession.
—Alexandra Petri, Washington Post, 28 June 2024
Expanded or not, the existing red light cameras can only function with state lawmakers’ say-so, Rodriguez said.
—Evan Simko-Bednarski, New York Daily News, 14 June 2024
But as president, Mr. Biden has claimed the power to initiate attacks on his say-so alone, whether against China, Iran, the Houthis or otherwise.
—Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 17 Mar. 2024
Why does Catherine Fox have a say-so in this child’s case?
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 3 May 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'say-so.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near say-so
Cite this Entry
“Say-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say-so. Accessed 22 Sep. 2024.
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