denied
8 synonyms and 6 antonyms for denied, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — Past tense and past participle of deny: to have refused to grant or allow something that was asked for.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. verb
Past tense and past participle of deny: to have refused to grant or allow something that was asked for.
“His visa application was denied without explanation.”
Opposites
2. verb
Past tense and past participle of deny: to have stated that something is not true.
“She denied any knowledge of the payments.”
Opposites
How to Use Denied
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Neutral; extremely common in legal, insurance and news writing.
Etymology
From Old French denier, from Latin denegare 'to refuse, say no', from de- 'completely' plus negare 'to say no'.
Full origin of denied →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between denied and rejected?
Denied normally answers a request or an accusation: a request is denied, an allegation is denied. Rejected is broader and applies to things offered or submitted, such as a manuscript, a transplant organ or a bank card.
What does it mean if my claim was denied?
It means the insurer or agency reviewed it and refused to pay or approve it. A denial is a decision, not the end of the matter, and most systems allow you to appeal or resubmit with more evidence.