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naysayer

American  
[ney-sey-er] / ˈneɪˌseɪ ər /

noun

  1. a person who habitually expresses negative or pessimistic views.

    Despite a general feeling that things were going well, a few naysayers tried to cast gloom.

Etymology

Origin of naysayer

First recorded in 1715–25; nay + say 1 + -er 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Piggy addressed the naysayers, as well as her own backpedaling on the “f-word,” in her acceptance speech: “As of today, I am a feminist,” Piggy announced.

From Salon

Among the high-profile naysayers is Michael Burry, who foresaw the subprime mortgage crisis and recently compared the frenzy around AI to the dot-com bubble.

From The Wall Street Journal

Sahir explained that with time they have been accepted as a couple, adding that they have "defied all odds and all the naysayers" and will this year celebrate 20 years of marriage.

From BBC

This classic investment strategy still could work, despite what the naysayers now say.

From MarketWatch

His career has been supercharged as much by naysayers as it has his charm and talent.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.