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deniability

American

[dih-nahy-uh-bil-uh-tee] / dɪˌnaɪ əˈbɪl ə ti /

noun

the ability to deny something, as knowledge of or connection with an illegal activity.

Etymology

Origin of deniability

First recorded in 1970–75; deniable + -ity

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.

Separately, the emails your brother and/or her lawyer sent you could give them plausible deniability.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 2, 2026

“It allows you to operate at a distance but gives you deniability and gives your agents survivability.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 12, 2025

But until recently, I think that these guys have tried to maintain plausible deniability by showing some measure of respect as officers of the court.

From Slate • Nov. 14, 2025

The use of criminal proxies offers "arms-length deniability," according to Ms Evans, who blames the rising threat on the "continued erosion of the rule-based international order".

From BBC • Jul. 15, 2025

But the president had one valuable asset: deniability.

From "Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown" by Steve Sheinkin

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