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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 Andrew has repeatedly denied the allegations against him. Max Foster, CNN Money, 31 Oct. 2025 Cordoza has denied all allegations. Emily Hallas, The Washington Examiner, 31 Oct. 2025 The White House was quick to deny it. Lizzie Lanuza, StyleCaster, 31 Oct. 2025 Detainees are not given medical screenings and are denied access to medicines, including prescription medications brought by family members, according to the lawsuit. Michael Loria, USA Today, 31 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for deny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny
Verb
  • Spotify also refuted that the program only helps major label artists, contending that the feature is popular among both major and independent acts.
    Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 5 Nov. 2025
  • Rosen refuted Palomares’ claim, saying the tugboat captain was reckless and should have been on the lookout for recreational boaters who frequent those waters.
    David Goodhue, Miami Herald, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • But the union filed a lawsuit in November 2023, alleging that the tribe had refused to select an arbitrator to conduct the card-counting process.
    Sacbee.com, Sacbee.com, 30 Oct. 2025
  • One teen said Scarr routinely pressured him for oral sex, including in the sanctuary, and threatened to kill himself if the boy refused.
    Mike Hixenbaugh, NBC news, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The 2023 edition opened a month later as Israel intensified its bombing campaign on Gaza, which has since killed more than 67,000 people, injured another 170,000 and razed the Palestinian territory to the ground, prompting accusations of genocide, which Israel has strongly rejected.
    Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 30 Oct. 2025
  • Wyden’s aide rejected outright the concept that the Finance Committee lacks proper jurisdiction.
    Kevin Fixler, Idaho Statesman, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • The true-crime trappings offered a pointed tool for presenting evidence that contradicted the husbands’ oblivious assertions.
    Paula Mejía, The Atlantic, 2 Nov. 2025
  • Thompson turned to Preston Mui, a senior economist at Employ America, for a sector-by-sector breakdown of job openings since ChatGPT’s release, and the findings actually contradicted the AI narrative.
    Dave Smith, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • No Buffett, no premium Since Warren Buffett announced his retirement from Berkshire Hathaway its stock has declined 11% in a period when the S&P 500 rose 20%.
    Geoff Colvin, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025
  • Baldwin’s lawyers declined to comment on Kenney’s suit.
    Gene Maddaus, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Some Virginia Democrats disavowed the texts, but few if any called on Jones to drop out of the race.
    Kevin Breuninger,Dan Mangan, CNBC, 4 Nov. 2025
  • In just a few days, a Karl Marx-quoting communist who has struggled to disavow Hamas is likely to be elected the next mayor of the nation's financial and cultural epicenter.
    MSNBC Newsweek, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deny. Accessed 7 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deny

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