Deny: meaning, definitions and examples

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deny

[dɪˈnaɪ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

refuse

To refuse to accept or allow something. To reject a request or offer. To declare untrue; contradict. To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, or knowledge of.

Synonyms

contradict, disclaim, refuse, reject.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deny	Use 'deny' when saying that something isn't true or refusing to accept something. He denied the accusations against him. She denied knowing anything about the missing money.
refuse	Use 'refuse' when you say 'no' to something, declining to accept an offer or request. She refused the job offer. He refused to answer the question.
reject	Use 'reject' when you do not accept something, such as an idea, proposal, or item. The committee rejected the proposal. She rejected his advances.
contradict	Use 'contradict' when you are saying something that goes against or disagrees with another statement. His testimony contradicted the evidence presented. The results contradict the initial hypothesis.
disclaim	Use 'disclaim' when you officially state that you are not responsible for something or do not have any connection to it. The company disclaimed any responsibility for the defective products. He disclaimed all knowledge of the incident.

Examples of usage

I deny all the accusations against me.
She denied his request for a raise.
He denied that he was involved in the crime.
The company denied any involvement in the scandal.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

not admit

To state that something is not true or does not exist. To refuse to acknowledge the validity or existence of something.

Synonyms

challenge, contradict, dispute, oppose.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deny	Used when someone declares that something is not true or refuses to accept something. She denied stealing the money. He denied all the accusations against him.
dispute	Used when there is a disagreement or argument about something, often involving formal or legal issues. The two countries are in a dispute over the borders. They disputed the charges on their bill.
challenge	Used when questioning the validity or truth of something, often in a competitive or confrontational manner. She decided to challenge the professor's theory. They challenged the results of the election.
contradict	Used when someone says the opposite of what has been said or implies that a statement is false. The witness contradicted the suspect's alibi. Her statements contradict the evidence.
oppose	Used when showing resistance or disagreement with an idea, plan, or person. Many people opposed the new law. She opposed her parents' decision.

Examples of usage

She denied any involvement in the project.
He denied the allegations made against him.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'deny' comes from the Latin word 'denegare,' which means to refuse or reject.
Historically, the use of 'deny' in English can be traced back to the 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in the language.
Related words like 'denial' and 'denying' reflect the same root and add layers to the word's meaning.

Psychology

Denial is often used as a defense mechanism where someone refuses to accept reality to protect themselves from uncomfortable truths.
In clinical psychology, denial can be associated with various mental health issues, helping individuals cope with stress.
Researchers suggest that denial can temporarily shield individuals from emotional pain, but it can also hinder healing.

Law

In legal terms, to deny a claim is to formally contest it, which can lead to further court proceedings.
Denying responsibility in legal cases can affect outcomes and lead to complicated verdicts.
Various legal systems use the concept of denial in dispute resolutions, emphasizing the importance of truth in justice.

Literature

Denying feelings or truths is a common theme explored by many writers, revealing the complexity of human emotion.
Characters in novels often go through denial phases, making their journey relatable to readers.
Famous literary works, like Shakespeare's tragedies, depict denial as a precursor to downfall, highlighting its dramatic effects.

Pop Culture

The phrase 'I deny it' has become a meme, often used humorously in online discussions about misunderstandings.
Songs frequently use the theme of denial in love, illustrating the emotional struggles faced by many.
In movie dialogues, characters often confront denial, making it a pivotal element of storytelling.

Translations

Translations of the word "deny" in other languages:

🇵🇹 negar

recusar
rejeitar

🇮🇳 अस्वीकार करना

नकारना
इनकार करना

🇩🇪 verweigern

ablehnen
bestreiten

🇮🇩 menolak

🇺🇦 заперечувати

відмовляти
відхиляти

🇵🇱 odmówić

🇯🇵 拒否する (kyohi suru)

🇫🇷 nier

refuser
démentir

🇪🇸 negar

🇹🇷 reddetmek

🇰🇷 거부하다 (geobu-hada)

🇸🇦 رفض

🇨🇿 odmítnout

🇸🇰 odmietnuť

🇨🇳 否认 (fǒurèn)

🇸🇮 zavrniti

🇮🇸 neita

🇰🇿 бас тарту

🇬🇪 უარყოფა

🇦🇿 rədd etmək

🇲🇽 negar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,292, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.

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3289 females
3290 painted
3291 topic
3292 deny
3293 crown
3294 urged
3295 manage
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