Deny
/dɪˈnaɪ/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo state that something is not true; to refuse to admit or acknowledge something.
/dɪˈnaɪ/
To state that something is not true.
He denied the accusations against him.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're eating cookies and your friend asks if you took the last one. If you say, "I deny it!" you're saying you didn't do it.
👶 For kids: To say something isn't true.
More Examples
She denied having seen the accident.
The company denied any responsibility for the environmental damage.
How It's Used
"The defendant denied the charges."
"She denied knowing anything about the theft."
To refuse to give something to someone; to refuse access or permission.
/dɪˈnaɪ/
To refuse to give someone something or to allow someone to have something.
They denied us access to the building.
💡 Simply: Imagine you ask for a toy, and your parent says, 'I deny your request.' It means you can't have it.
👶 For kids: To not let someone have something.
More Examples
The company denied his request for a raise.
The government denied the refugees asylum.
How It's Used
"The restaurant denied entry to the group."
"The bank denied the loan application."
To refuse to believe in; to renounce (a religion or a religious belief).
/dɪˈnaɪ/
To refuse to believe in (God or a religious doctrine).
He denied his faith under pressure.
💡 Simply: Imagine you used to believe in Santa Claus, but now you don't. You could say you've denied believing in Santa.
👶 For kids: To say you don't believe something anymore.
More Examples
The atheist denied the existence of God.
Many intellectuals denied the established religious dogma.
How It's Used
"He denied his faith."
"Some philosophers deny the existence of objective truth."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
deny oneself
To abstain from something desirable.
"He denied himself the pleasures of alcohol."
deny someone something
To refuse to give someone something they want or need.
"The bank denied the loan to the small business."
deny something to someone
To refuse to provide something to another person.
"The company denied their workers a fair wage."
From Middle English *denien*, from Old French *denier* (to deny, refuse), from Latin *denegare* (to deny, refuse), from *de-* (away, from) + *negare* (to say no).
Used since the 13th century; often used in legal and religious contexts.
Memory tip
Imagine a court scene; the witness *denies* the accusation – they're saying it's not true.
Word Origin
"to say no"