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 Within these rules, the CFPB cannot be gainsaid by anyone — not Congress, the Fed or the president. Stephen L. Carter, The Mercury News, 23 May 2024 It cannot be gainsaid that Biden cooperated and Trump obstructed. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 2 Mar. 2024 There’s a way to gainsay that impression — and inform voters of the rivals’ actual positions on the issues: Put the two candidates side by side on a debate stage for an extended period of time. Matthew Yglesias, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 2024 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
  • All three Cabinet members denied wrongdoing.
    Robert Faturechi, ProPublica, 6 Sep. 2025
  • Judge Gary Arnold denied the motion Thursday morning.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 5 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • And not a single Democrat then contradicted them or criticized them.
    ABC News, ABC News, 7 Sep. 2025
  • The Republican president insisted that his tough talk didn't contradict his fixation on being recognized for diplomatic efforts, saying peace must be made from a position of strength.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 6 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • That backup has since grown into a hundreds-strong campaign to refute the DHS allegations, which supporters call a resurgence of anti-Muslim fearmongering that has persisted across party lines since the 9/11 attacks 24 years ago this month.
    Hannah Allam, ProPublica, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Days after the hearing, the leader of the Pentagon's office to investigate UFOs provided testimony of his own refuting some of the claims.
    Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 10 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • But Democrats have long conceded that the party needs a new vision after voters soundly rejected their presidential ticket last fall, and internal squabbles about the party’s future have spilled out into the public.
    Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025
  • China has rejected the accusation and accused the Philippines of damaging the coral reef ecosystem in the waterway instead.
    Nectar Gan, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gainsay.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gainsay. Accessed 12 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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