Meaning & use
denied
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“denied” is a form of “deny”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
verbtransitive
Said that something was not true or that you did not do it.
Grammar: Takes an object or -ing form: denied the claim; denied taking it.
Patterns
- denied something
- denied doing something
- denied that something
He denied taking the money.
The company denied the rumors.
She denied that she had been there.
verbtransitive
Refused to give or allow something to someone.
Grammar: Often with two objects or to: denied her a visa.
Patterns
- denied someone something
- denied something to someone
The bank denied him a loan.
Officials denied the request for more time.
They were denied entry at the border.
Word forms
| base form | deny |
|---|---|
| third person singular | denies |
| -ing form | denying |
Common combinations
- denied the allegations
- He denied the allegations.
- denied access
- Visitors were denied access.
- flatly denied
- She flatly denied it.
- request denied
- The request was denied.
Synonyms and how they differ
- refused
- Refused is used for declining to do or give something, not for stating something is false.
- rejected
- Rejected suggests turning down an offer or idea.
- disputed
- Disputed suggests challenging a claim with an argument.
Opposites
Word family
- denial noun
- a statement that something is false, or a refusal
- deniable adjective
- able to be denied
Commonly confused: denied or denigrate?
denied vs denigrate
Denigrate means to speak badly of someone.
Practice
The driver ______ speeding, though the camera showed otherwise.
Choose one answer.
Denied takes an -ing form to say you did not do something. Refused and declined take to plus a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “denied”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.