Definition of denynext
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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 Baldoni has denied all allegations. Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 3 Apr. 2026 No student that has applied for a scholarship has been denied. Annie Alleman, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026 Both players claim the NCAA wrongly denied waiver requests filed by their schools. Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 3 Apr. 2026 Chawinga is known for her help-defense — denying passes to players in those spaces, or even closing down the player sending in such crosses. Daniel Sperry, Kansas City Star, 3 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny
Verb
  • Jones, who lived in San Francisco for years before moving to Napa, refuted the insinuation of carpetbagging.
    Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Saatchi, at least, welcomes pushback — and at times doesn’t even refute it.
    David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Increasingly, judges are opting to sanction lawyers who submit briefs tainted by AI errors, Moylan said, sometimes fining those who refuse to admit wrongdoing or referring them to their state’s bar association for disciplinary actions.
    Sharon Bernstein, Sacbee.com, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Like the impish anti-romance that crumbles around it, the movie’s twist is both transgressive enough to be pleased with itself and also rooted in a reality that refuses to be dismissed as a bad joke.
    David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Olsson rejects The Athletic’s offer to take cover inside the coffee shop.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 1 Apr. 2026
  • Last week, for example, the UK government rejected plans by a Chinese company, Ming Yang, to invest in a Scottish factory to produce wind turbine blades, citing national security reasons.
    Andy Browne, semafor.com, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As former Meta executive Brian Boland told CNBC, the company appeared to portray a public image that contradicted what its internal research was showing.
    Alex Harring, CNBC, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Investigations by the Georgia secretary of state and independent reviews contradict the core allegations of the affidavit, which relies on witnesses who lack credibility and have biases that weren't disclosed to the magistrate judge, Lowell argued.
    CBS News, CBS News, 29 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Both declined interview requests.
    Richard Ramos, CBS News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • The Backstreet Boys member attempted to use the video to press battery charges against Gallagher, but prosecutors declined to do so after seeing the video supported Gallagher's version of events, per the outlet.
    Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 2 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Tehran has disavowed the administration’s characterization of negotiations.
    Michael Loria, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
  • My mother disavowed her first tears.
    Han Ong, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Deny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deny. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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