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

Relevance

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 Since his deportation, Joe has tried to appeal it several times, but has been denied. —

Janelle Ash, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026 Swinyard alleged that Mortensen leaked the video; Salazar-Hall denied this allegation on behalf of his client, according to the AP. —

Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 1 May 2026 Farage has denied the allegations. —

Alexander Smith, NBC news, 1 May 2026 Banksy, according to Reuters, is a bespectacled middle-aged man from Bristol named Robin Gunningham, though the artist did not confirm or deny his identity. —

Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 1 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for deny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny

Verb

Even after Charles delivered an address to Congress that implicitly refuted some core tenets of Trumpism—there was an ode to limits on executive power, a defense of NATO and Ukraine, a rousing call to protect the natural world—Trump raved about it ahead of the state dinner that night.

— Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 30 Apr. 2026
The Department of Homeland Security has refuted claims of inhumane treatment.

— Lance Reynolds, Boston Herald, 29 Apr. 2026