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

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 In an Oakland, California courtroom, attorneys for Meta have denied the accusations and sought to show that the company was sensitive to the risks of overuse, and tried to address them. — John Ruwitch, NPR, 25 Aug. 2026 Austin Metcalf's father is speaking out for the first time after a judge denied denied his son's murderer -- Karmelo Anthony -- a request for a new trial for the fatal stabbing at a Texas high school track meet. — ABC News, 25 Aug. 2026 The judge denied the motion but instructed jurors to dismiss the comments and sent them home early. — Nbc News, NBC news, 25 Aug. 2026 Heilbrun also mentioned Clancy’s Catholic faith, prompting a request for a mistrial from Reddington that Judge William Sullivan denied. — Michael Casey, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny

Verb

Brittany Howard, the band’s lead singer and charismatic frontwoman, has spent much of the past decade refuting that notion.

— Jonathan Bernstein, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2026
New documents obtained by The Associated Press and The Guardian refute that testimony.

— Ali Swenson, Fortune, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of refute

Verb

The filing accused Thomas of having refused to allow nannies into his house with his daughter, including one assigned by the court, and of using drugs.

— Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Aug. 2026
When the district refused to scrap those policies, the agency rescinded the unrelated federal grants.

— Kate Armanini, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuse

Verb

The Athletic reported on Monday that all parties have now been in direct communication to confirm the deal is off after City’s bid of an initial £75m and £5m in add-ons was rejected.

— The Athletic UK Staff, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026
Palal also rejected the defense’s contention that Davis fabricated his accounts to make money.

— Jonathan Landrum Jr, Chicago Tribune, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of reject

Verb

Critics say its removal contradicts the program’s founding mission and longstanding curatorial principles.

— George Nelson, ARTnews.com, 25 Aug. 2026
Evidence contradicted his story of being attacked with a box cutter, including an absence of blood on the weapon’s blade, officials said.

— Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of contradict

Verb

However, entering June, crude prices pulled back significantly, while retail gasoline prices declined at a markedly slower pace.

— , CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026
At home several center-right parties initially declined to join his coalition, illustrating the challenge of uniting the broader Brazilian right behind his candidacy.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Verb

Piker supporters, including progressive candidates who’ve campaigned alongside Piker, have sought to minimize calls to disavow Piker from Republicans and pro-Israel voices.

— Christian Datoc, The Washington Examiner, 26 Aug. 2026
President Florentino Perez never publicly disavowed Mourinho’s divisive actions — and his ghost never really left the Bernabeu.

— Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of disavow

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“Deny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deny. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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