naysayer
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See also: nay-sayer
English[edit]
Alternative forms[edit]
Etymology[edit]
Origin: 1715–1725, from nay + say + -er, equivalent to naysay + -er. First recorded use: 1721.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (UK) IPA(key): /ˈneɪ.ˌseɪ.ə(ɹ)/
- (US) IPA(key): /ˈneɪ.ˌseɪ.ɚ/
Audio (US) (file) - Hyphenation: nay‧say‧er
Noun[edit]
naysayer (plural naysayers)
- One who consistently denies, criticizes, or doubts; a detractor.
- He ignored the naysayers and succeeded with his idea.
- 2022 January 12, Nigel Harris, “Comment: Unhappy start to 2022”, in RAIL, number 948, page 3:
- As for the IRP, Secretary of State Grant Shapps continues to peddle snake oil, smoke and mirrors. His reaction to near-universal IRP condemnation from politicians, local and national media, and all but a few rail specialists was to dismiss the lot of us (in the condescending and patronising tone we have now come to expect) as "critics and naysayers".
Synonyms[edit]
Antonyms[edit]
Related terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
consistent critic
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References[edit]
- “naysayer”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.