v.
Pronunciation: di- ' n ī , d ē -
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: de · nied ; de · ny · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French deneier, denier, from Latin denegare, from de- + negare to deny ― more at NEGATE
Date: 14th century
1 : to declare untrue < deny an allegation>
2 : to refuse to admit or acknowledge : DISAVOW < deny responsibility>
3 a : to give a negative answer to < deny ing the petitioners> b : to refuse to grant < deny a request> c : to restrain (oneself) from gratification of desires
4 archaic : DECLINE
5 : to refuse to accept the existence, truth, or validity of
– de · ny · ing · ly \ - ' n ī -i ŋ -l ē \ adverb
synonyms DENY , GAINSAY , CONTRADICT , CONTRAVENE 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>. GAINSAY implies disputing the truth of what another has said <no one can gainsay her claims>. CONTRADICT implies an open or flat denial <her account contradicts his>. CONTRAVENE implies not so much an intentional opposition as some inherent incompatibility <laws that contravene tradition>.