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.

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Etymology

Origin of deniability

First recorded in 1970–75; deniable + -ity

Example Sentences

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

From MarketWatch • Feb. 2, 2026

"You could go back to the Middle Ages - when people are dominated, they use absurdity to speak the truth a little bit and still have plausible deniability."

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

Yet Beijing chose to activate mechanisms that mobilize public opinion—indirectly shaping the behavior of businesses and consumers—and afford the government plausible deniability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 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

And plausible deniability doesn’t sound so good, either.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller