gainsay

Verb

gainsay (third-person singular simple present gainsays, present participle gainsaying, simple past and past participle gainsaid)

1. (formal, transitive) To say something in contradiction to.
   • […]vve are able with playne demonſtration to proue, and vvith reaſon to perſvvade that in tymes paſt our fayth vvas alike, that then vve preached thinges correſpondent vnto the forme of faith already publiſhed of vs, ſo that none in this behalfe can repyne or gayneſay vs.1577, Socrates Scholasticus [i.e., Socrates of Constantinople], “Constantinus the Emperour Summoneth the Nicene Councell, it was Held at Nicæa a Citie of Bythnia for the Debatinge of the Controuersie...
   • The supreme court, therefore, may assume jurisdiction over subjects and between parties, not allowed by the constitution, and there is no power in the federal government to gainsay it.1840, Abel Upshur, A Brief Enquiry into the Nature and Character of our Federal Government, Campbell, page 84

   Synonyms:

   contradict, controvert, deny, dispute, refute, withsay