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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

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

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller

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