deniability

noun

de·​ni·​abil·​i·​ty dē-ˌnī-ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

: the ability to deny something especially on the basis of being officially uninformed

Examples of deniability in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Historically, social respectability has relied, remarkably often, on the discretion of others and the last resort of deniability. — Fern Schumer Chapman, Chicago Tribune, 5 Aug. 2026

The Quds Force cultivated Iraqi militias as proxies, providing weapons, funding and training that allowed Iran to attack American forces while maintaining a degree of deniability. — Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026

Cady turns their lives into a trap of paranoia and, indeed, fear, while procuring plausible deniability to avoid consequences. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 31 July 2026

To avoid that bottleneck and give all lawmakers some deniability when local bases were closed, Congress gave the job to an independent commission. — Howard Gleckman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1973, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deniability

• affability
• audibility
• bistability
• capability
• changeability
• contractility
• credibility
• culpability
• disability
• disutility
• durability
• fallibility