DENY Synonyms: 105 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

deny

verb

di-ˈnī

Definition of deny next

as in to refute

to declare not to be true the congressman denied all charges of wrongdoing

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to refuse

to be unwilling to grant the director denied access to the top secret files to all but those with a need to know

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to reject

to refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as one's responsibility in a futile attempt to get out of the contract, he even denied his own signature

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The Department of Homeland Security and Florida Division of Emergency Management, which oversees operations at the detention center, have denied allegations of inhumane conditions at the facility, including reports from detainees that they were punished by being placed in an outdoor cage. —

Miami Herald, 27 Mar. 2026 Meanwhile, Human Rights Watch has also accused Israel of using white phosphorus munitions over residential areas in southern Lebanon, a charge the Israeli military has denied. —

Chantal Da Silva, NBC news, 27 Mar. 2026 Ferreira did not address The Denver Post’s questions about whether the facility denied or delayed the county health department’s access to staff or detainees. —

Elizabeth Hernandez, Denver Post, 27 Mar. 2026 Fars denied the waterway was open to any ships. —

Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 27 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny

Verb

Jones, who lived in San Francisco for years before moving to Napa, refuted the insinuation of carpetbagging.

— Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 27 Mar. 2026
Saatchi, at least, welcomes pushback — and at times doesn’t even refute it.

— David Canfield, HollywoodReporter, 27 Mar. 2026