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

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 notes

In 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

Word forms

deniabilities plural

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The executive structured the deal to preserve his _____.

Etymology

Formed from deny plus the suffix -ability.

Rhymes for deniability

city pity deity acuity parity entity brevity opacity paucity ability quality reality

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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.