Definitions

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

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

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun someone with an aggressively negative attitude

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

nay + say + -er

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Examples

  • Among this group, I am known as the naysayer — well that is the only one of the names they call me that I can repeat publicly.

    The NFL’s Puzzling Post-Season 2009

  • At the risk of being called a naysayer, a name I'm not often called that because of the "can do" attitude I normally adopt, I believe the costs are too great -- in human lives and economic resources -- to continue along the current path.

    Jennifer Brunner: Time To Bring Home The Troops 2009

  • At the risk of being called a naysayer, a name I'm not often called that because of the

    The Campaign Spot on National Review Online 2009

  • "At the risk of being called a naysayer," Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner blogged yesterday, just before naysaying, "I believe the costs are too great-in human lives and economic resources-to continue along the current path."

    U.S. News 2009

  • Not only no thanks but I am called a naysayer as well.

    WindsorCityBlog 2009

  • If you'd like fast food and chain restaurants to post calorie information on menus and menu boards, Jim Skinner, the CEO of McDonald's thinks you're a "naysayer" and a "CAVE person," -- meaning Citizens Against Virtually Everything, says theChicago Tribune.

    McDonald's CEO Calls Customers Who Want Calories On Menu Boards "CAVE People" - The Consumerist 2008

  • Putting the two incidents together, the oblivious polluter driving the Mazda and the "naysayer" in the seminar I began to think of the two as the same.

    James M. Lynch: Blowing Smoke 2009

  • It's a shame that you think it's cool to be a 'naysayer' like so many people in this area, but the fact is that this store will be a boon to North Whitehall and add a relief to the burgeoning sales at the other stores.

    Columnist: Keith Groller 2010

  • Some ESPN radio guy "naysayer" gave the Vols a 14 pt spread just because of that fact … and I am not going to be as stupid as saying that he jinxed us!

    UUpdates - All updates 2009

  • Judging by the nature other letters today one might speculate that the Star might be getting a lot of pro "naysayer" feedback.

    WindsorCityBlog 2008

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