deny

[ dih-nahy ]

verb (used with object)

, de·nied, de·ny·ing.

1. to state that (something declared or believed to be true) is not true:

   to deny an accusation.

   Synonyms: gainsay, oppose, controvert, dispute

   Antonyms: concede, accept, admit

2. to refuse to agree or accede to:

   to deny a petition.

3. to withhold the possession, use, or enjoyment of:

   to deny access to secret information.

   Antonyms: allow

4. to withhold something from, or refuse to grant a request of:

   to deny a beggar.

5. to refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disown; disavow; repudiate:

   to deny one's gods.

   Synonyms: abjure, renounce

6. to withhold (someone) from accessibility to a visitor:

   The secretary denied his employer to all those without appointments.

7. Obsolete. to refuse to take or accept.

deny

/ dɪˈnaɪ /

verb

1. to declare (an assertion, statement, etc) to be untrue

   he denied that he had killed her

2. to reject as false; refuse to accept or believe
3. to withhold; refuse to give
4. to refuse to fulfil the requests or expectations of

   it is hard to deny a child

5. to refuse to acknowledge or recognize; disown; disavow

   the baron denied his wicked son

6. to refuse (oneself) things desired

Other Words From

• de·ny·ing·ly adverb
• pre·de·ny verb (used with object) predenied predenying
• re·de·ny verb (used with object) redenied redenying

Word History and Origins

Origin of deny¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English denien, from Old French denier, from Latin dēnegāre; denegation

Word History and Origins

Origin of deny¹

C13: from Old French denier, from Latin dēnegāre, from negāre

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. deny oneself, to refrain from satisfying one's desires or needs; practice self-denial.

Synonym Study

Deny, contradict both imply objecting to or arguing against something. To deny is to say that something is not true: to deny an allegation. To contradict is to declare that the contrary is true: to contradict a statement.

Example Sentences

“To say there is no problem is to deny reality,” U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

That measure sought to deny public services to undocumented immigrants.

From Los Angeles Times

Olson sued on behalf of two gay couples, and Judge Vaughn Walker ruled that it was unconstitutional discrimination to deny them the right to marry.

From Los Angeles Times

They are among eight people on trial at the court in Paris who all deny the charges against them, while not denying their involvement in the case.

From BBC

Russia has always refused to confirm or deny that the beluga whale was trained by its military.

From BBC

Related Words

• ban
• call on
• contradict
• oppose
• rebuff
• refuse
• refute
• reject
• revoke
• turn down
• withhold