naysaying
1
7.4
- noun
- /ˈneɪˌseɪɪŋ/
- A half dozen years after initial efforts to apply continuous quality improvement (CQI) in hospitals, the volume of naysaying about its usefulness in health services is increasing.
Examples
-
Instead, there was a lot of naysaying about Dodd Frank, which parts of it no doubt deserve.
-
On the international scene, the world is now demanding U.S. leadership, not naysaying.
Academic text (1992) -
One of many problems with bullying and other forms of verbal abuse is that the victim eventually starts to believe the naysaying.
Blog text (22) -
We've heard the rhetoric and naysaying before.
Blog text (6) -
This discussion on CQI naysaying was prompted by a meeting I attended several weeks ago that was sponsored by a health services managers association.
Academic text (1993) -
Her constant naysaying during meetings discouraged others from sharing their ideas.
-
The team's success was overshadowed by his naysaying and negativity.
-
He decided to ignore the naysaying and pursue his dream of starting a new business.
Synonyms
318
3.6
A statement showing disagreement or disapproval
117
1.4
An act of saying you will not accept or agree to something
45
3.0
A feeling that shows you do not agree with someone or what they do
7
6.2
An act of saying that a statement or idea is not true
Antonyms
How Opposed
Surface Forms
Morphology
naysaying = naysay (transparent) = naysay + ing
Formed from the verb 'naysay' with the productive suffix '-ing', so the meaning 'the act of saying no' is directly derivable.
Etymology
The word naysaying comes from nay ('no') and say ('to speak'), so it means 'saying no'. Think of someone who keeps saying 'nay' to every idea; that's why naysaying means refusing or opposing things.