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

Gaetz has vehemently denied the claims but said that he hoped to avoid a "needlessly protracted Washington scuffle" by withdrawing.

From BBC

Israel denies the allegation that its forces are committing genocide in Gaza, which is the subject of a separate case before the International Court of Justice.

From BBC

President-elect Donald Trump has criticized Google over allegations that the search giant censors conservative speech, which the company has repeatedly denied.

From Los Angeles Times

Hegseth has vociferously denied the allegations, saying Thursday that “the matter was fully investigated, and I was completely cleared,” and some Republicans appeared to be rallying to his side.

From Los Angeles Times

Despite Bolsonaro repeatedly challenging the legitimacy of the election, he has denied involvement in attempts to overturn the results.

From Salon

Related Words

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