Quick answer: Deny means to say that something is not true or did not happen: He denied stealing the money. Refuse means to say no to doing something or to decline an offer/request: She refused to sign the contract. Key grammar: deny + -ing; refuse + to-infinitive. For a fuller definition, see the Cambridge Dictionary entry for ‘deny’.
Comparison Table
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| deny | verb | say something is not true; declare false | She denied making the error. |
| refuse | verb | say no to doing something; decline | He refused to answer. |
Using Deny
Deny means to declare that something is not true, to reject an accusation, or to withhold something from someone. Key grammar: deny + gerund (-ing), never “deny to do.”
He denied breaking the window.
She denied that she had been there.
The government denied all accusations of corruption.
He was denied access to the building.
Deny Access/Rights (Deny + Noun)
Deny can also mean to withhold or not allow:
She was denied a visa.
Children should not be denied education.
The prisoner was denied bail.
Using Refuse
Refuse means to say no to a request, order, or offer — a deliberate choice not to do something. Key grammar: refuse + to-infinitive.
She refused to answer the question.
He refused the offer politely.
The dog refused to move from the sofa.
They refused to pay the fine.
Refuse + Noun
Refuse can also be followed by a noun (an offer, invitation, request):
She refused the invitation.
He refused payment for his help.
They refused our proposal.
Common Mistakes
✗ He denied to steal the money.
✓ He denied stealing the money.
Note: deny takes -ing (gerund), never to + infinitive.
✗ She refused that she was there.
✓ She denied that she was there.
Note: refuse is about declining to do something; deny is about declaring something false.
✗ He denied the invitation.
✓ He refused/declined the invitation.
Note: to turn down an offer or invitation, use refuse or decline — not deny (unless you mean “claim it doesn’t exist”).
Also worth studying: Avoid vs Prevent, Accept vs Except, Can vs Could. Browse all confusing word pairs →
Quick Check: Deny or Refuse?
Four questions — choose the correct word for each sentence.
1. “She ___ being at the party that night.”
2. “He ___ to sign the documents.”
3. “The children were ___ entry to the building.”
4. “She ___ the job offer and stayed at her current company.”
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Start Practising →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between deny and refuse?
Deny means to say something is not true or did not happen: “He denied cheating.” Refuse means to say no to doing something or to decline: “She refused to help.” The key difference is that deny addresses truth/facts while refuse addresses actions.
What grammar follows deny?
Deny + gerund (-ing): “She denied stealing it.” / “He denied having been there.” Never use deny + to-infinitive in standard English.
What grammar follows refuse?
Refuse + to-infinitive: “She refused to answer.” Refuse can also be followed by a noun: “He refused the offer.”
What is the difference between deny and reject?
Reject means to throw away, not accept, or dismiss: “The committee rejected the proposal.” Deny means to say something is false or to withhold. You reject offers, applications, and ideas; you deny accusations, allegations, and truths.
Can deny mean “withhold”?
Yes. Deny can mean to withhold or not allow someone something: “She was denied access” / “He was denied bail.” This use is often passive.
What is the opposite of deny?
The opposite of deny (say something is false) is admit or acknowledge: “He admitted stealing.” The opposite of deny (withhold) is grant: “She was granted access.”
What is the opposite of refuse?
The opposite of refuse (say no) is accept or agree: “She accepted the invitation.” The opposite of refuse (in the sense of decline) is consent or agree to: “He agreed to help.”
Can refuse be a noun?
Yes, but with different pronunciation. As a noun (REF-yooz), refuse means rubbish or waste material: “Refuse collection takes place on Tuesdays.” As a verb (re-FYOOZ), it means to say no. Be careful with pronunciation.
Is “I refuse” stronger than “I can’t”?
Yes. “I refuse” expresses a deliberate, determined choice. “I can’t” implies inability (real or polite). “I won’t” is similar in strength to “I refuse” — both signal a firm decision not to do something.
How do deny and refuse appear in formal writing?
In formal writing, both are common. Deny appears in legal and academic contexts: “The company denies all allegations.” Refuse appears in professional correspondence: “We regret that we must refuse your request.” Using them correctly signals precision in English.