# deny

/dɪˈnaɪ/ (US) · /dɪnˈaɪ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deny
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to say something is false

verb · CEFR B1

to say that a statement is not true or that you did not do something.

For teachers: to declare that an allegation or statement is untrue; to refuse to admit a fault or crime.

- The suspect continued to deny the charges even after the police showed him the video.
- The spokesperson issued a statement to flatly deny the rumours of a merger, calling them entirely speculative and without merit.

### 2. to refuse to grant

verb · CEFR B2

to refuse to give someone something they have asked for or need.

For teachers: to refuse to grant a request, right, or privilege to someone. Often used ditransitively.

- The bank decided to deny his application for a loan because of his poor credit history.
- The court ruled that the state could not deny citizens the right to peaceful assembly under the current constitution.

### 3. to prevent from scoring

verb · CEFR B2

to stop an opponent from getting a point or a goal in a game.

For teachers: to successfully defend against an opponent's attempt to score or advance.

- The goalkeeper made a brilliant save to deny the striker a last-minute goal.
- The defensive line worked tirelessly to deny the visiting team any significant space in the final third of the pitch.

### 4. to disown or disavow

verb · CEFR C1 · Formal · Literary

to say that you have no connection with someone or that you do not support them anymore.

For teachers: to refuse to acknowledge a connection with or responsibility for someone or something; to disavow.

- In the story, the man denied his old friends once he became wealthy and famous.
- The senator was forced to deny his former associates after the scandal broke, fearing the political fallout would ruin his career.

## Examples

- He denies stealing the money from the office.
- The government continues to deny the request for more funding despite the growing public pressure.
- While the suspect did not deny being at the scene of the crime, he maintained that his presence there was entirely coincidental and unrelated to the theft.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.