gainsay
verb
To deny or contradict a fact or statement; to speak or act against. An archaic-sounding word still used in formal contexts.
Etymology
From Old English "gegn" (against) + "say." The prefix "gain-" meaning "against" survives only in this word and a few others.
Examples in Use
- 1.
"No one could gainsay her expertise in the field."
- 2.
"The evidence was too strong to gainsay."
- 3.
"He would never gainsay his grandmother's wisdom."
Related Vocabulary
Synonyms
Related Words
Fun Fact
The "gain-" prefix meaning "against" is nearly extinct in English. It survives in "gainsay" and in some dialects in "gainstand" (to withstand) and "gainstrive" (to resist). All other uses have disappeared.
Word Game Tips
Letters: 7 letters (G, A, I, N, S, A, Y)
Scrabble Value: 11 points
Tip: Try building from common prefixes or suffixes when you spot these letters.
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