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

DCWP’s investigation, which began in 2022, found that Starbucks had unlawfully reduced employees’ hours, denied them the opportunity to pick up additional shifts, and failed to give its employees regular schedules.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

There’s no denying it: Inviting yourself into his financial life after a few short months of dating is a big step.

Read more on MarketWatch

Travelers who don’t have a compliant ID have been subject to additional screening measures, and can be denied access to their flights if their identities can’t be confirmed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

He denied seeing anyone in the street shouting as the fire began and said he did not find out about it for two days.

Read more on BBC

His party has accused the authorities of denying him access to his medication - a charge the government has denied.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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