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

Four months ago, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied that agents were engaged in racial profiling, calling claims of people being targeted because of skin color “disgusting and categorically FALSE.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Once he pursues a resolution and is denied, the bolts start popping off the plane mid-flight.

Read more on Salon

Badenoch has accused the government of deliberately collapsing the trial because "the prime minister wants to suck up to Beijing" - something it has denied.

Read more on BBC

The effect of the scandal may be muted: Voting in Virginia started Sept. 19, which is a reminder that a monthslong Election Day denies voters an informed choice.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Keaton remained a supporter of Allen, a controversial figure, who was accused of molesting his daughter Dylan, which he has always denied.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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