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Showing results for deniability. Search instead for declinability.

deniability

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

noun

  1. 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.

See Examples For:

Cady turns their lives into a trap of paranoia and, indeed, fear, while procuring plausible deniability to avoid consequences.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 31, 2026

"Plausible deniability is only plausible until it isn't," he posted on X.

From BBC ● Feb. 15, 2026

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

From MarketWatch ● Feb. 2, 2026

There’s a higher threshold of plausible deniability with movies.

From Salon ● Jan. 14, 2026

But the president had one valuable asset: deniability.

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

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