Words / C2

gayn-SAY/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/

To gainsay is to deny or contradict (formal, often negative): cannot gainsay the evidence, none could gainsay it. Deny and contradict are everyday; gainsay is almost a fossil except in that cannot-gainsay pattern. Gain and say are the pieces, not “win a conversation”. Do not gainsay a badge log with a slogan.

Meaning

To deny or contradict (formal; often in cannot gainsay).

Examples

• “Nobody could gainsay the badge log, however warm the speeches.”
• “Deny is everyday. Contradict is direct opposition. Unsay is take back words. The surviving use is cannot/could not gainsay. A speech does not unsay a timestamp.”

Good to know

Deny (usually cannot gainsay). Everyday: deny / contradict. Almost only in the negative pattern. A slogan does not unsay a log.

Near in meaning

deny

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