deniable

adjective

de·​ni·​able di-ˈnī-ə-bəl How to pronounce deniable (audio)
dē-
: capable of being denied

Examples of deniable in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Multiple security officials across Europe describe a threat that is metastasizing as Russian agents, increasingly under scrutiny by security services and frustrated in their own operations, hire local amateurs to undertake high-risk, and often deniable, crimes on their behalf. Nick Paton Walsh, CNN, 10 July 2024 Limited, flexible, and nominally deniable interventions—often on behalf of distasteful partners that the West is unwilling to countenance—can establish Russian influence on the cheap and secure lucrative revenue streams, such as from gold mining. Frederic Wehrey, Foreign Affairs, 9 July 2024 The political motivations in civil and criminal lawsuits driven by Democrats against Donald Trump are not credibly deniable. Andrew C. McCarthy, National Review, 30 Jan. 2024 China’s maritime militia is hundreds of vessels strong and acts as an unofficial – and officially deniable – force that Beijing uses to push its territorial claims both in the South China Sea and beyond, according to the Philippines, the United States and Western marine security experts. Kathleen Magramo, CNN, 22 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for deniable 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deniable.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1548, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of deniable was in 1548

Dictionary Entries Near deniable

Cite this Entry

“Deniable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deniable. Accessed 27 Jul. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!