deny
gb/dɪnˈaɪ/ us/dɪnˈaɪ/
B1
English
~ 1400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Say something is untrue
To say that something is not true.
Usage pattern:
to deny [something/doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'deny' with 'refuse'. 'Deny' means to say something is not true; 'refuse' means to not accept or do something.
Synonyms
refute (Often used in more formal contexts, especially when providing evidence against a statement.)
Antonyms
admit (To accept or acknowledge that something is true.)
Collocations
deny the allegations
|deny responsibility
|deny a claim
|deny wrongdoing
Themes
communication
|law
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She denied stealing the money.
- The company denied any involvement in the scandal.
- He denied that he had ever met her.
- They denied breaking the rules.
Learner examples
- She denied the story.
- He denied the crime.
- They denied the rumor.
- I deny the lie.
Verb
B1
action
2
Refuse to give or allow
To not let someone have or do something.
Usage pattern:
to deny [someone] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'refuse' in structure. Remember: 'deny someone something' not 'deny to someone'.
Synonyms
withhold (Implies keeping something back deliberately, often tangible or needed.)
Antonyms
grant (To give or allow something that has been requested.)
Collocations
deny access
|deny permission
|deny entry
|deny benefits
Themes
daily life
|law
|rights
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They denied him entry to the building.
- The government denied the refugees food and shelter.
- She was denied the chance to speak.
- The request for more time was denied.
Learner examples
- They denied me food.
- He denied her entry.
- The school denied us help.
- The bank denied him a loan.
Verb
B2
action
3
Refuse to accept as true
To not accept or believe something.
Usage pattern:
to deny [that clause/something]
Synonyms
reject (Can imply turning away an idea, belief, or proposal.)
Antonyms
accept (To take as true or agree with.)
Collocations
deny the truth
|deny reality
|deny existence
Themes
emotions
|beliefs
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He still denies the possibility of failure.
- Some people deny climate change.
- She denied the reality of her illness.
- They deny that such events ever happened.
Learner examples
- He denies the news.
- They deny climate change.
- She denies the problem.
- I deny that idea.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deny
IPA
GB/dɪnˈaɪ/
US/dɪnˈaɪ/
Syllables & stress
deny (1 syllable)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deny
- 3rd Person Singular: denies
- Present Participle: denying
- Past: denied
Word family
Forms
denies
verb
denying
verb
denied
verb
Core family
denial
noun B1
Related words
denier
noun
undeniable
adjective
undeniably
adverb
Advanced or less common
deniability
noun
Expressions
deny all knowledge of
1/dɪnˈaɪ ˈɔl nˈɑlɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
Claim no awareness of something
To say you do not know anything about something.
Examples
- The suspect denied all knowledge of the stolen goods.
- She denied all knowledge of the plan.
deny oneself
1/dɪnˈaɪ wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
fixed phrase
Refuse oneself pleasures or things
To decide not to have something you want, usually for moral or practical reasons.
Examples
- He denies himself sweets to stay healthy.
- She denied herself any luxuries while saving for a house.