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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 State officials, however, denied there had been a medical emergency on site. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025 In addition, the suit claims that students were improperly denied their right to speak against California rules on transgender participation in girls’ sports. Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025 The Friend is Scott McGehee and David Siegel’s class-conscious lament for how urban sophisticates (Naomi Watts, Bill Murray, and a Great Dane) deny but can’t escape spiritual obligations. Armond White, National Review, 9 July 2025 Andrew Russek, an attorney representing Meyer, denied all of the charges against his client, as well as any and all allegations of classroom misconduct on Meyer’s part. Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for deny
Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny
Verb
  • But DeGeneres ultimately refuted the claims that savaged her career.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
  • State-run news agency Xinhua on Friday refuted claims that regions had canceled the subsidies.
    Bernice Ooi, CNBC, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • Molina-Neave was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006 but refused extradition to Denver.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
  • Glover refused, and Pierce told her to turn around as she was being arrested.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • New York Senator Julia Salazar, who was among the electeds observing hearings Thursday called for New Yorkers to reject what is happening inside lower Manhattan immigration courts.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • But her boss rejects her resignation, and offers her a new assignment: find Xavier, the mysterious kingpin whose power reaches all the way to the Oval Office.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Phone records contradicted that story, showing the pair was frequently in the same location in the 10-day period leading up to Gibson’s death, according to police.
    Olivia Lloyd, Miami Herald, 27 June 2025
  • This advice may seem to contradict much advice (including my own) about setting boundaries.
    Hanna Hart, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • At the time, Harvard declined to comment on the president’s post.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Trump publicly disavowed Project 2025 ahead of the election and denied having any connection to it, despite it being created by many people who worked with him at the White House in his first term.
    Alison Durkee, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
  • Jim Walden, an independent candidate for mayor, is committing to disavow any super PAC that may form to support his run for City Hall — a move that comes as Andrew Cuomo, the leading 2025 mayoral contender, has benefited heavily from PAC spending.
    Chris Sommerfeldt, New York Daily News, 11 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Deny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deny. Accessed 13 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on deny

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