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Definition of gainsay verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gainsay

verb
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/
often used in negative sentences (formal)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they gainsay
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪ/
he / she / it gainsays
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈsez/
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈsez/
past simple gainsaid
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈsed/
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈsed/
past participle gainsaid
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈsed/
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈsed/
-ing form gainsaying
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪɪŋ/
 
/ˌɡeɪnˈseɪɪŋ/
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  1. gainsay something to say that something is not true; to disagree with or deny something synonym deny
    • Nobody can gainsay his claims.
    • There is no gainsaying these facts.
    Topics Opinion and argumentc2
    Word OriginMiddle English: from obsolete gain- ‘against’ + say.
See gainsay in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
trait
noun
 
 
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