verb

denied

dih-NYDE

Denied (verb) means past tense and past participle of deny: to have refused to grant or allow something that was asked for. Example: “His visa application was denied without explanation.”

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."

"The insurer denied the claim on the grounds of a pre-existing condition."

Past tense and past participle of deny: to have stated that something is not true.

"She denied any knowledge of the payments."

"He has consistently denied the allegations."

adjective

Refused, or kept from someone who wanted or was entitled to it.

"Denied claims can be appealed within thirty days."

"Denied access to her own records, she went to a solicitor."

How to Use Denied

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSaid no to, or said it wasn't true.

When to use it

Neutral; extremely common in legal, insurance and news writing.

Memory tip

Deny takes a direct object, not a to-infinitive: he denied taking the money, not he denied to take it.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

rejected refuted denied vs declined

Common pairings

denied entry claim denied flatly denied access denied

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Can you complete this real example?

His visa application was _____ without explanation.

Etymology

From Old French denier, from Latin denegare 'to refuse, say no', from de- 'completely' plus negare 'to say no'.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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refused rejected turned down declined disputed contradicted refuted disavowed

Antonyms

granted approved allowed admitted confessed acknowledged

Related Words

known official allowed accepted granted declared approved recognized

Rhymes for denied

lied pied tied fried dried tried allied buried varied envied untied implied

See all rhymes for 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.

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