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

Beijing and Hong Kong’s governments argue that the law is necessary to maintain stability and deny it has weakened autonomy.

From BBC

He has been repeatedly denied bail, with a judge saying he was a “determined and resolute young man” who would likely continue to commit “acts endangering national security” should he be released.

From BBC

In a statement, Mr Baghaei said similar accusations of attempts to assassinate US presidents had been made in the past, which Iran denied and went on to be false.

From BBC

He said that Sudan had wanted a clause condemning the United Arab Emirate's backing of the RSF, something which the UAE has consistently denied.

From BBC

Gaetz has denied the allegations and a federal investigation into him ended without criminal charges.

From Salon

Related Words

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