deny

[dih-nahy]

verb (used with object)

denied, denying 

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 Word Forms

• denyingly adverb
• predeny verb (used with object)
• redeny verb (used with object)

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

It also cited broader evidence of alleged war crimes by both the RSF and the regular army, however both sides have previously denied any wrongdoing in the country's ongoing civil war.

From BBC

Earlier this week, the Commission denied reports it had delayed the announcement of Google's fine amid tensions over trade relations between the EU and the US.

From BBC

We’d love to live in a united country where we aren’t forced to have regional responses to serious health problems because our federal government denies science.

From Salon

The board's unprecedented pay proposal comes just months after it was forced to deny reports that it was looking to replace Musk.

From BBC

The Clippers have forcefully denied that they or Ballmer “circumvented the salary cap or engaged in any misconduct related to Aspiration.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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