DictionaryAI

deny

verb
duh-NY/dəˈnaɪ/UKdi-NY/dɪˈnaɪ/

Formsdenies, denying, denied

7 meanings of deny

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To say firmly that something is not true.

    Like shaking your head and saying, "No, that's just not true."

    I deny that I ever said those words.

    She denied the rumor about her resignation.

    Similardisclaim, dispute, contradict, refute, repudiate

    Oppositeadmit, confirm, acknowledge, concede

    Note
  2. 2
    verb
    To say no when someone asks for something.

    Like a parent saying no when a child asks for candy.

    The bank denied her loan request last week.

    Some schools deny students the chance to retake exams.

    Similarrefuse, reject, withhold

    Oppositegrant

    Note
  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To say no to a request, plan, or idea.

    The judge denied the request without any explanation.

    Officials deny most applications on the first try.

    Similarreject, refuse, decline, disallow, dismiss

    Oppositegrant

    Note
  4. 4
    verbtransitive
    To stop someone from having something they need or want.

    Like taking away a toy a child was happily playing with.

    Years of poverty denied them many basic comforts.

    We should never deny children a good education.

    Similardeprive, rob

    Oppositegrant, give, allow, afford

  5. 5
    verbtransitive
    To say you have no connection with someone or something.

    Like pretending you don't know someone you actually do.

    He denied his old friends after becoming famous.

    Politicians often deny any link to the scandal.

    Similardisown, renounce, repudiate, disavow, reject

    Oppositeacknowledge, recognize, embrace, accept

    Note
  6. 6
    verbtransitive
    In sports, to stop another player or team from scoring.

    Like blocking a doorway so no one can get through.

    The goalkeeper denied the striker with a great save.

    Strong defenses deny opponents easy points all game.

    Similarstop, thwart, foil, block

    Oppositeallow

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 7
    verbobsolete
    To refuse to do or accept something.
    if you deny to dance
    c. 1595, William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”Here, deny means to refuse, so if you refuse to dance.
    Note

Practice

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Origin

From Latin denegare, made of de- ("away") and negare ("to refuse"). It came into English through Old French.