different between naysayer vs gainsayer

English

Alternative forms

• nay-sayer

Etymology

Origin: 1715–1725, from nay +? say +? -er, equivalent to naysay +? -er. First recorded use: 1721.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /?ne?.?se?.?(?)/
• (US) IPA^(key): /?ne?.?se?.?/
• Hyphenation: nay?say?er

Noun

naysayer (plural naysayers)

1. One who consistently denies, criticizes, or doubts; a detractor.

   He ignored the naysayers and succeeded with his idea.

Synonyms

• pessimist, doubter, cynic, misanthrope

Antonyms

• yeasayer, yea-sayer

Related terms

• naysaying, nay-saying

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English a?enseyere, equivalent to gainsay +? -er.

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -e??(r)

Noun

gainsayer (plural gainsayers)

1. One who contradicts or denies what is alleged; an opposer.
2. A person who gainsays others; a disagreeable person.
   • 1724, Jonathan Swift, The Drapier's Letters, "Letter IV: A Letter to the Whole People of Ireland":

     First, The writer, positively asserts, "That Wood's halfpence were current among us for several months with the universal approbation of all people, without one single gainsayer".

   • 2000, Robin McKie, "'Super Brain' to eclipse the Net adds to power of machines," The Observer at guardian.co.uk, 21 May (retrieved 8 Sep. 2008):

     This urge to ensure the continued viability of UK science is balanced by warnings that such a system brings closer the day when computers will take over the running of the world and discard humanity. One such gainsayer is Bill Joy, inventor of the web language Java and chief scientist at computer giant Sun Microsystems.

Synonyms

• withsayer

References

• gainsayer at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams

• asynergia