Skip to main content
negatory

negatory

2 9.0
A short informal way to say no, often on radio
  • interjection
  • /nɪˈɡeɪtəri/
  • Slang
: negativo
  • When he suggested going out, she immediately replied, 'NEGATORY!'

Examples

  • NEGATORY!

  • He raised his hand and said, 'NEGATORY, that's not what I meant at all.'

  • NEGATORY! I won't be going to that party.

Synonyms

no
vsnegatory
∞ 1.0

An answer that refuses a request or idea

is informal exclamation rather than a neutral general reply
nah
vsnegatory
  • Informal
679 8.4

An informal way to say no

is equally informal but feels more clipped and official
yeah, no
vsnegatory
  • UK
284 9.2

A short informal reply that politely says no or disagrees

is a direct informal exclamation rather than a softened reply
naw
vsnegatory
  • Informal
56 9.9

A casual way to say no

is informal too but lacks the dialectal warmth
nay
vsnegatory
  • Formal
51 8.4

A vote against a proposal in a meeting

is informal and casual, not tied to formal procedures
nuh
vsnegatory
  • Informal
27 9.9

A short informal word people say to show disagreement

is similarly brief but more direct and slightly formal
noo
vsnegatory
  • Slang
16 9.9

A playful, strong way to say no

is informal too but less playful and less drawn out
nooo
vsnegatory
  • Informal
12 8.7

A long, loud cry showing strong feelings like surprise or disappointment

is informal but typically calmer and less emotional
nyet
vsnegatory
  • Informal
11 9.9

To say no strongly using a Russian word

is informal and English rather than a foreign emphatic form
noooo
vsnegatory
  • Informal
8 9.8

A long cry people make to show strong sadness or shock

is shorter and used as a simple negative response
nup
vsnegatory
  • Informal
7 9.9

A casual word people use to say no

is informal as well but slightly more expressive
nooooo
vsnegatory
  • Informal
6 9.5

A long loud cry that shows shock, protest, or disappointment

is informal without the same intense emotional length
heck no
vsnegatory
  • Informal
5 8.9

A strong way to refuse a suggestion or request

is informal too but usually less forceful and more neutral
nae
vsnegatory
  • UK
3 9.9

A short exclamation meaning no to refuse something

is informal too but not regionally marked
naa
vsnegatory
  • Informal
2 9.9

A casual way to say no in conversation

is also casual but reads as a clearer single-word reply
nope
vsnegatory
  • Informal
1 7.1

A casual spoken answer that means no

is the same short informal refusal but slightly more slangy
noooooo
vsnegatory
  • Texting
9.8

A long dramatic no used in messages to show strong refusal or sadness

is informal but far shorter and less theatrical

Antonyms

yes
∞ 1.0

An answer that shows agreement or permission

20 4.1

Showing agreement or approval, like saying yes

Surface Forms

negatory main

Morphology

negatory = negative (transparent) = negat + ory

The interjectional use is derived from the adjective/verb meaning 'no' or 'denying', so the morphological link to 'negative'/'negate' is clear.

Etymology

Negatory comes from the familiar word negative, used in radio speech as a short, firm 'no'. So as an exclamation it is an informal way to say 'no' or refuse something quickly.