Gainsay - English meaning

noun

An implement with a handle and a block of bristles, hair, or wire, used especially for cleaning, applying a liquid or powder to a surface, or arranging the hair.

Usage examples:

A shaving brush

verb

Remove (dust or dirt) by sweeping or scrubbing.

Usage examples:

We'll be able to brush the mud off easily

noun

Undergrowth, small trees, and shrubs.

Usage examples:

Trees and brush alongside the fields and channels are home to birds and other wildlife

noun

A call to someone to participate in a competitive situation or fight to decide who is superior in terms of ability or strength.

Usage examples:

He accepted the challenge

verb

Exposure of the immune system to pathogenic organisms or antigens.

Usage examples:

Recently vaccinated calves should be protected from challenge

noun

Something needing great mental or physical effort in order to be done successfully, or the situation of facing this kind of effort

Usage examples:

[ c ] it’s a challenge being in a marriage when both partners have high-pressure jobs., [ c ] no ma…

noun

An event in which people compete for supremacy in a sport or other activity, or in a quality.

Usage examples:

A tennis contest

verb

Engage in competition to attain (a position of power).

Usage examples:

She declared her intention to contest the presidency

verb

Oppose (an action or theory) as mistaken or wrong.

Usage examples:

The former chairman contests his dismissal

verb

Deny the truth of (a statement) by asserting the opposite.

Usage examples:

The survey appears to contradict the industry's claims

verb

(of people) to state the opposite of what someone has said, or (of one fact or statement) to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong

Usage examples:

Her testimony contradicted the policeman’s testimony, and the jury had to decide who was telling th…

verb

(of people) to say the opposite of what someone else has said, or (of one fact or statement) to be so different from another fact or statement that one of them must be wrong

Usage examples:

If you're both going to lie, at least stick to the same story and don't contradict each other!, con…

noun

A long flat-topped fitment across which business is conducted in a shop or bank or refreshments are served in a cafeteria.

Usage examples:

Having eaten these we were hard pressed to ignore the shop counter as we departed.

verb

Speak or act in opposition to.

Usage examples:

The second argument is more difficult to counter

adverb

In the opposite direction or in opposition to.

Usage examples:

His writing ran counter to the dominant trends of the decade

verb

Expose the falseness or hollowness of (an idea or belief).

Usage examples:

She debunks all the usual rubbish about acting

verb

To show that something is not true

Usage examples:

Every week some long-held medical theory is debunked.

verb

To show that something is less important, less good, or less true than it has been made to appear

Usage examples:

Debunk a myth the writer's aim was to debunk the myth that had grown up around the actress.

verb

State that one refuses to admit the truth or existence of.

Usage examples:

Both firms deny any responsibility for the tragedy

verb

To say that something is not true

Usage examples:

The governor denied reports that he will resign., [ + that clause ] she has denied that she plans t…

verb

It is true

Usage examples:

There's no denying that this has been a difficult year for the company.

verb

Harm the good reputation of.

Usage examples:

His remarks were taken out of context in an effort to discredit him

noun

Loss or lack of reputation or respect.

Usage examples:

His actions were such that they brought discredit on his profession

verb

To give people reason to stop believing someone or to doubt the truth of something

Usage examples:

The old soviet economic model has been thoroughly discredited., it’s the job of the defense to disc…

verb

Prove that (something) is false.

Usage examples:

He has given the department of transport two months to disprove the allegation

verb

To prove that an idea, statement, etc. is not true

Usage examples:

Given the thoroughness of the author’s research, the burden rests on critics to disprove the facts …

verb

To prove that something is not true

Usage examples:

The allegations have been disproved.

noun

A disagreement or argument.

Usage examples:

A territorial dispute between the two countries

verb

Argue about (something).

Usage examples:

The point has been much disputed

noun

An argument or disagreement

Usage examples:

[ c ] management and the union are trying to resolve the dispute over working conditions., her skil…

verb

Burst or shatter violently and noisily as a result of rapid combustion, excessive internal pressure, or other process.

Usage examples:

An ammunition lorry exploded with a roar

verb

Burst and release energy as through a violent reaction

verb

To burst violently and usually with a loud noise, or to cause this to happen

Usage examples:

[ i ] a bomb exploded nearby., [ t ] black holes are left behind by exploding stars called supernov…

idiom

To completely oppose what seems sensible or normal

Usage examples:

This is an argument that seems to fly in the face of common sense.

verb

Disagree with and attempt to prevent, especially by argument.

Usage examples:

A majority of the electorate opposed ec membership

verb

To disagree with something, often by speaking or fighting against it

Usage examples:

The governor adamantly/vehemently opposes raising taxes., the opposing sides failed to reach agreem…

verb

To disagree with something or someone, and speak or take action against them

Usage examples:

Most local residents opposed the building of the shopping mall., the proposed tax rise has been vig…

verb

Claim or prove that (evidence or an accusation) is false.

Usage examples:

He had to rebut charges of acting for the convenience of his political friends

verb

Prove (a statement or theory) to be wrong or false; disprove.

Usage examples:

These claims have not been convincingly refuted

verb

Refuse to accept; reject.

Usage examples:

She has repudiated policies associated with previous party leaders

verb

To refuse to accept or obey something or someone; reject

Usage examples:

The evidence presented at the trial has since been repudiated., the election results were a repudia…

verb

To decide that an agreement is no longer effective and that you will not do what it says you must do

Usage examples:

Repudiate a contract/agreement failure to deliver on time will entitle the buyer to repudiate the c…