deny
deny — verb
1. to state that a statement, accusation, or claim is false or incorrect
to state that a statement, accusation, or claim is false or incorrect
The politician denied taking any money from the construction company, but the receipts told a different story.
deny + gerund (-ing form)
Mira denied the accusation that she had copied answers from a classmate during the exam.
deny + noun phrase (accusation)
Faisal denied that he had ever met the woman, even though photographs showed them at the same party.
The company's official statement denied all reports of unsafe working conditions at the factory.
- contradict
focuses on saying the opposite; less formal and less emphatic than 'deny'
- refute
more formal; implies providing proof that a claim is wrong, not just stating it is wrong
- rebut
formal, used especially in legal or debate contexts; to offer counter-evidence
- admit
to accept that something is true
- acknowledge
to accept or admit the existence or truth of something
文法句型
deny + noun phrase (deny the allegations)
deny + that-clause (deny that something happened)
deny + -ing form (deny doing something)
用法筆記
Frequently used with legal or formal objects: 'allegations,' 'charges,' 'accusations,' 'claims.' The gerund pattern ('deny + -ing') is more common than the that-clause pattern in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. a fixed expression used to emphasise that a fact is so clear or certain that nob
a fixed expression used to emphasise that a fact is so clear or certain that nobody can argue against it
There is no denying that the team played much better after the new coach took over.
there is no denying + that-clause
There is no denying the importance of learning basic phrases in the local language when you travel.
there is no denying + noun phrase
There is no denying Mizuki's musical talent — she started composing songs at the age of nine.
There is no denying the damage that the storm caused to homes along the coast.
- undoubtedly
adverb, used to express the same certainty; 'There is undoubtedly a problem'
- without question
phrase with the same emphatic certainty; more formal
文法句型
there is no denying + noun phrase (there is no denying the fact)
there is no denying + that-clause (there is no denying that…)
用法筆記
This is a fixed idiom. 'There is no denying' cannot be conjugated for person or tense (❌ 'There was no denying' is acceptable in past tense, but ❌ 'He denies no denying' is not). The structure is always 'there is/was no denying + noun/that-clause.'
3. to prevent someone from receiving something they want, need, or have asked for
to prevent someone from receiving something they want, need, or have asked for
The school principal denied the students permission to leave early on the last day of term.
deny + someone + something (ditransitive)
The landlord denied Bilal access to his own apartment until the overdue rent was paid in full.
deny + someone + something
Despite working for the same company for twelve years, Gita was denied the promotion she had earned.
The government denied food aid to the refugees who had fled across the border.
文法句型
deny + someone + something (deny the children a treat)
deny + something + to + someone (deny access to visitors)
be denied + something (passive)
用法筆記
The ditransitive pattern ('deny + person + thing') is the most common. The passive construction ('be denied + thing') is frequent in formal and journalistic writing. The object can be an abstract thing ('access,' 'rights,' 'opportunity') or a concrete one ('food,' 'entry,' 'funds').
常見錯誤
4. to refuse to acknowledge that you know about something, are responsible for some
to refuse to acknowledge that you know about something, are responsible for something, or experience a particular feeling or emotion
Even with CCTV footage showing him near the scene, Tamás denied any responsibility for the accident.
deny + noun phrase (responsibility)
Lisa denied feeling nervous during the job interview, but the sweat on her forehead told the truth.
deny + gerund (-ing form for feelings)
The director denied having any knowledge of the missing documents when the police questioned her.
Cyrus denied that he had ever been in love, even though his friends knew about his long-term girlfriend.
文法句型
deny + noun phrase (deny responsibility)
deny + -ing form (deny knowing)
deny + that-clause (deny that one cares)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 denies the truth of an external statement or accusation, whereas sense 4 denies an internal state (knowledge, responsibility, feelings). Common objects include 'any knowledge,' 'any involvement,' 'all responsibility,' and emotion words like 'feeling hurt,' 'being afraid,' 'caring.'
常見錯誤
5. to voluntarily refrain from giving yourself something you want, often for reason
to voluntarily refrain from giving yourself something you want, often for reasons of discipline, faith, health, or principle
Wren denied herself the pleasure of dessert for the entire month while training for the marathon.
deny + oneself + something (pleasure)
The monks deny themselves all material comforts as part of their religious practice and spiritual discipline.
deny + oneself + something (material comforts)
Ayana denied herself any time off until the entire project was finished and submitted to the client.
During Lent, some Christians deny themselves a favourite food or activity as a form of sacrifice.
- deprive oneself of
slightly different connotation; 'deprive' suggests someone else is responsible, while 'deny oneself' is always voluntary
- forgo
to choose not to have or do something; slightly formal
- abstain from
to refrain from something enjoyable, especially food, drink, or a habit
- indulge in
to allow yourself to have or do something enjoyable
- treat oneself to
informal; to give yourself something enjoyable
文法句型
deny + oneself + something (deny herself dessert)
deny + oneself + the opportunity/pleasure/chance to do something
用法筆記
Always reflexive: the direct object is a form of 'oneself' (myself, yourself, herself, etc.). This sense appears most often in discussions of self-discipline, religious fasting, dieting, and saving money. The pattern 'deny + oneself + the + opportunity/pleasure/chance + to-infinitive' is especially common in formal writing.
常見錯誤
6. to state or act as if you are not connected to a person, group, nation, or set o
to state or act as if you are not connected to a person, group, nation, or set of beliefs, especially when acknowledging that connection would bring difficulty, danger, or shame
After the scandal destroyed their reputation, the executive denied any connection with his former business partner.
deny + connection + with + someone
According to the gospel accounts, Peter denied knowing Jesus three times on the night of the arrest.
deny + gerund (-ing form) for personal connection
Ignacio denied his family name and moved to a distant city where nobody knew his past.
The soldier chose to die rather than deny his faith and join the enemy.
- acknowledge
to accept or admit that someone is part of your life or identity
- claim
to state that you belong to or support a person, group, or belief
文法句型
deny + noun phrase (deny one's faith / faith / family / country)
deny + -ing form (deny knowing someone)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 4: sense 4 is about denying internal states (knowledge, responsibility, feelings), whereas sense 6 is about denying an external connection (family, religion, country, a person). The object in sense 6 is always a person, group, or set of beliefs that the subject is expected to be loyal to. Historically the most famous use is 'denying one's faith' in religious persecution contexts.