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deniability

American

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

noun

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.

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

"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

These tools offer Beijing flexibility and deniability while adding volatility that can make crises worse.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 30, 2025

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

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023