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naysayer

naysayer

28 7.0
A person who often says that plans or ideas will not work
  • noun
  • /ˈneɪˌseɪər/
translation icon : negativista
  • Despite the efforts of a few naysayers, this inquiry is far from over.

And it was almost the naysayers that drove me to prove them wrong.

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Examples

  • You can listen to this naysayer... ...but I promise you this: If we succeed... ...all will share in the wealth of the mountain.

  • Regardless of whether you are a fan or a naysayer, the new Common Core State Standards are coming your way.

    Academic text (2012)
  • "I was a real naysayer at first," she says.

    Academic text (2007)
  • The good news, Mr. President, is that the naysayers were wrong.

  • You know, it's really easy to just sit there and be the naysayer, when you don't actually do anything.

  • In the midst of all the naysayers, hope was sustained by a taste of success in sports or some other activity.

  • New ideas often appear risky or impractical, and it takes courage and vision to battle naysayers and champion those ideas.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Despite the many naysayers, she decided to pursue her dreams and started her own business.

  • The team's success silenced the naysayers who doubted their ability to win the championship.

  • Even though there were numerous naysayers, he remained committed to his innovative ideas.

Synonyms

critic
vsnaysayer
563 3.0

A person who often finds fault and speaks harshly about others

is more about expecting failure and opposing new proposals
skeptic
vsnaysayer
  • US
77 4.1

A person who often doubts accepted ideas and asks for proof

is more about negative expectation and active opposition
detractor
vsnaysayer
33 7.1

A person who says bad things about someone or something to make them seem less good

is broader, combining habitual criticism with opposing proposals
pessimist
vsnaysayer
25 3.9

A person who expects bad things to happen

also voices regular opposition to plans and suggestions
dissenter
vsnaysayer
22 7.2

A person who disagrees with common ideas or with those in charge

is more about persistent negative reactions to ideas
doubter
vsnaysayer
19 4.2

A person who does not believe something is true or is unsure about it

is firmer, showing repeated negative or oppositional responses
contrarian
vsnaysayer
17 8.2

A person who often disagrees with what most people think, for example by buying stocks when others sell

often opposes ideas because of a negative or pessimistic habit
objector
vsnaysayer
15 5.1

A person who disagrees with a law or plan and says so

is similar but stresses a recurring negative attitude across topics
Debbie Downer
vsnaysayer
  • Offensive
2 8.6

A person who often says negative things and lowers people's mood

is broader, including formal or public opposition to proposals
opposer
vsnaysayer
2 4.5

A person who speaks out against a plan or idea

is more about a habitual negative view and criticism
knocker
vsnaysayer
  • Informal
1 8.4

A person who always finds faults in ideas or work

is similar but adds ongoing opposition to ideas and plans
negative Nancy
vsnaysayer
  • Offensive
1 8.9

A person who always expects bad things to happen

is like that but includes regular opposition to ideas
rejectionist
vsnaysayer
1 8.2

Refusing to accept proposals or changes, often for political reasons

shares refusal but is broader, covering general pessimism
negative Nelly
vsnaysayer
  • Offensive
1 8.2

A person who always expects the worst and often complains

also covers regularly arguing against suggestions or plans
rejecter
vsnaysayer
1 4.0

A person who refuses to accept an idea or plan

is habitual and often includes pessimistic commentary
criticizer
vsnaysayer
1 3.4

A person who says that people or things are bad

is closer to a steady oppositional and pessimistic attitude
negativist
vsnaysayer
9.1

A person who always sees the bad side of things and offers no solutions

also actively opposes proposals and argues against ideas
Negative Ned
vsnaysayer
  • Offensive
8.7

A person who always sees the bad side of things

adds repeated disagreement with proposals to that negativity
negative bitchola
vsnaysayer
  • Offensive
9.9

A person who often thinks things will go wrong and complains

shares negativity but adds repeated opposition to ideas
gainsayer
vsnaysayer
  • Formal
9.9

A person who says no to an idea or decision

is similar but emphasizes a gloomy or pessimistic stance
disparager
vsnaysayer
8.5

A person who says bad things about people or things to make them seem unimportant

also involves routine pessimism and refusal of suggestions
condemner
vsnaysayer
5.6

A person who strongly criticizes someone or something

is broader, covering habitual negativity not only fierce blame
decrier
vsnaysayer
8.8

A person who publicly criticizes someone or something

is similar but includes private habitual pessimism and opposition
nagger
vsnaysayer
  • Offensive
7.5

A person who keeps complaining or criticizing in an annoying way

is more about general pessimism and formal opposition than annoyance

Antonyms

817 1.0

A person who backs a team or a cause

How Negative

alarmist
31 7.0
pessimist
25 3.9
naysayer
28 7.0
critic
563 3.0
skeptic
  • US
77 4.1

Surface Forms

naysayer singular
naysayers plural

Morphology

naysayer = nay + say (transparent) = nay + say + er

The word 'naysayer' is transparently derived from 'nay' and 'say' with the suffix '-er', indicating a person who says 'nay'.

Etymology

Naysayer comes from two parts: nay 'no' and sayer from the common word say meaning 'one who says', so it literally means a person who says 'no'. A naysayer is someone who often doubts or refuses new ideas.