say-so

noun

1
a
: one's unsupported assertion or assurance
b
: an authoritative pronouncement
left the hospital on the say-so of his doctor
2
: a right of final decision : say
has the ultimate say-so on what will be taught

Examples of say-so in a Sentence

some of the members complained they didn't have any say-so in how the organization spent its funds
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Rhaenyra doesn’t scold Jace for treating with the Freys without her say-so, at least not much. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 14 July 2024 Never ever move money anywhere on the say-so of someone who has reached out to you by phone. Zak Doffman, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 With that said, the steady move to USB-C actually started on Apple’s own say-so, in 2018 with the iPad Pro. Brenda Stolyar, WIRED, 11 Sep. 2024 Political onlookers seem to think Swift has become so powerful that there’s a chance her say-so might actually swing the needle in a meaningful direction. Constance Grady, Vox, 12 Sep. 2024 For the first time in the United Kingdom’s history, warrants to intercept communications are subject to judicial review; previously, the executive branch could execute these on its own say-so. Jennifer Daskal, Foreign Affairs, 16 Oct. 2017 The severity of the crisis led Congress to appropriate $700 billion for the Troubled Asset Relief Program largely on the say-so of the Bush administration. Francis Fukuyama, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2014 So Biden has loyalty — the kind that isn’t switching candidates without his say-so. Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024 Joe Biden has orchestrated all of it and nobody brings a case without his say-so, which is why his next move was to ensure that his son was arrested for firearm possession. Alexandra Petri, Washington Post, 28 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of say-so was in 1637

Dictionary Entries Near say-so

Cite this Entry

“Say-so.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/say-so. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

say-so

noun
ˈsā-ˌsȯ
1
a
: one's unsupported word
b
: a judgment coming from a person of authority
2
: a right of last decision : authority
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!