noun
deniability
dih-neye-uh-BIH-lih-tee
Deniability (noun) means the quality of being able to plausibly deny knowledge of or responsibility for something. Example: “The executive structured the deal to preserve his deniability.”
noun
1
The quality of being able to plausibly deny knowledge of or responsibility for something.
"The executive structured the deal to preserve his deniability."
"Officials wanted deniability in case the operation went wrong."
How to use deniability
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe ability to say "I didn't know" and have it be believable, often used deliberately to avoid blame.
Common pairings
plausible deniability
maintain deniability
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Word forms
- Plural
- deniabilities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The executive structured the deal to preserve his _____.
Etymology
Formed from deny plus the suffix -ability.
Rhymes for deniability
See all rhymes for deniability →Frequently asked questions
What does “deniability” mean?
The word “deniability” means the quality of being able to plausibly deny knowledge of or responsibility for something. In plain terms, the ability to say "I didn't know" and have it be believable, often used deliberately to avoid blame.
How do you pronounce “deniability”?
“Deniability” is pronounced dih-neye-uh-BIH-lih-tee (/dɪˌnaɪ(j)əˈbɪlɪti/ in IPA).
How do you use “deniability” in a sentence?
Here is “deniability” used in a sentence: “The executive structured the deal to preserve his deniability.”
What part of speech is “deniability”?
“Deniability” is a noun.
