DENY Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the verb 'deny' differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deny are contradict , contravene , and gainsay . While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of. // denied the charges

Q: When is it sensible to use 'contradict' instead of 'deny'?

The meanings of contradict and deny largely overlap; however, contradict implies an open or flat denial. // her account contradicts his

Q: When can 'contravene' be used instead of 'deny'?

The words contravene and deny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility. // laws that contravene tradition

Q: When could 'gainsay' be used to replace 'deny'?

The synonyms gainsay and deny are sometimes interchangeable, but gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said. // no one can gainsay her claims

deny

verb

di-ˈnī

Definition of deny next

as in to refute

to declare not to be true the congressman denied all charges of wrongdoing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to refuse

to be unwilling to grant the director denied access to the top secret files to all but those with a need to know

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reject

to refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as one's responsibility in a futile attempt to get out of the contract, he even denied his own signature

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb deny differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of deny are contradict, contravene, and gainsay. While all these words mean "to refuse to accept as true or valid," deny implies a firm refusal to accept as true, to grant or concede, or to acknowledge the existence or claims of.

denied the charges

When is it sensible to use contradict instead of deny?

The meanings of contradict and deny largely overlap; however, contradict implies an open or flat denial.

her account contradicts his

When can contravene be used instead of deny?

The words contravene and deny are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, contravene implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility.

laws that contravene tradition

When could gainsay be used to replace deny?

The synonyms gainsay and deny are sometimes interchangeable, but gainsay implies disputing the truth of what another has said.

no one can gainsay her claims

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of deny The banks denied the claim and Trump hasn’t provided any evidence to back it up. —

Mackenzie Sigalos, CNBC, 15 Feb. 2025 Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22, denying the reigning champs a three-peat and claiming the Vince Lombardi trophy for Philly. —

Grace Miserocchi, Chicago Tribune, 15 Feb. 2025 Gaetz denied all claims against him, and the Department of Justice ultimately dropped its investigation into the matter. —

Ramsey Touchberry, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Feb. 2025 The emails suggest the teams played a significant role in managing the fallout from the abuse allegations, including helping to remove names from the list of clergy credibly accused of molesting children—actions the teams have denied. —

David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for deny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny

Verb

While Kansas public health officials called it the largest U.S. concentration of the disease since recording began in the 1950s, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has refuted this, citing two larger episodes in the past.

— Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025
Nicole’s lawyer, Bruce Weil of law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, refutes that claim, saying that Dr. Wertheim never made such an offer.

— Kerry A. Dolan, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2025