DENYINGLY Synonyms: 210 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 1 of 2

verb (1)

di-ˈnī

Definition of deny

as in to refute

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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

denying

2 of 2

verb (2)

present participle of deny

as in refuting

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in refusing

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 rejecting

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

Verb

Nobody publicly confirmed plans for a leadership bid or expressed intentions to oust their leader, and those whose names were reported speculatively by news outlets denied it. — ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026 Parillo has denied this and, in turn, accused Helm of denying him and other LHS shareholders access to corporate records, along with financial mismanagement. — Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 11 Aug. 2026

Verb

The organization said denying gender-affirming care can similarly worsen mental health symptoms and increase suicide risk. — Annika Kim Constantino,jacob Pramuk, CNBC, 11 Aug. 2026 Exxon was far from alone in its historical awareness of CO₂ and rigorous research into its ongoing ecological impacts—and in its subsequent shift toward dismissing or denying the veracity of its own science. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for deny

Recent Examples of Synonyms for deny

Verb

Vorbe, his family and lawyers vehemently refute the accusation.

— Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026
Fauci’s decision to shield himself by staying silent gave Republicans free rein to attack him and his response to the COVID-19 pandemic without anyone to refute their statements.

— Joey Garrison, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Definition of refute

Verb

But the other main parties called it a stunt and refused to take part, leaving Farage running against an assortment of independents, jokers and single-issue candidates led by Count Binface, a comic space alien with a trash can on his head.

— ABC News, ABC News, 11 Aug. 2026
Despite this, Miller has refused to drop out, holding out past the Monday deadline for Ohio Republicans to nominate a new candidate.

— Brady Knox, The Washington Examiner, 11 Aug. 2026

Definition of refuse

Verb

The organization does not tolerate any actions that directly contradict the values and policies of the Fraternity and holds strict rulings against members and chapters that violate Fraternity expectations and the law.

— Abby Dodge, CBS News, 7 Aug. 2026
Austin’s post on Instagram seems to contradict what Henrie recently told TV Insider about Max’s absence on the show.

— Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of contradict

Verb

Farage did not give a victory speech after declining to attend the declaration, claiming police had warned of a campaign to disrupt it.

— Reagan Yip, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
And the university, which declined an interview request about the new program, is not the first to offer content creation courses.

— ABC News, ABC News, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of decline

Cite this Entry

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“Deny.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/deny. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of deny

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