naysayer
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.