Confirm vs. Deny — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 16, 2024
Confirm means to verify or establish the truth of something, while deny means to declare something as untrue or refuse to acknowledge it.
Difference Between Confirm and Deny
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Confirm is used when validating the accuracy or truth of a statement or situation. When you confirm something, you are verifying its correctness or existence. Confirmation often involves evidence or assurance that supports the truth of the matter at hand. Deny, on the other hand, means to declare that something is not true or to refuse to acknowledge or accept it. When you deny something, you are rejecting its validity or existence. Denial often involves a refusal to accept a statement, accusation, or claim.
While confirm is associated with validation and affirmation, deny is linked to rejection and refusal. Confirming typically involves providing supporting information or proof, whereas denying usually involves disputing a claim or assertion.
In practice, confirming often helps establish trust and clarity, while denying may be necessary to counter false statements or claims. Both actions play crucial roles in communication, ensuring that accurate information is conveyed and misunderstandings are addressed.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Verify or establish the truth of something
Declare something as untrue or refuse to acknowledge it
Primary Function
Validation and affirmation
Rejection and refusal
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Usage
Used to validate or verify correctness
Used to reject or dispute validity
Associated Actions
Providing evidence or assurance
Refuting claims or statements
Communication Role
Establishes trust and clarity
Counters false statements or accusations
Compare with Definitions
Confirm
To verify the accuracy or truth of something.
The manager called to confirm the meeting time.
Deny
To declare that something is not true.
She denied the allegations against her.
Confirm
To establish the truth or correctness.
The lab tests confirmed the diagnosis.
Deny
To refuse to grant or allow.
The guard denied them entry to the restricted area.
Confirm
To acknowledge or state with assurance.
The airline confirmed my flight reservation.
Deny
To refuse to acknowledge or accept.
He denied having any involvement in the incident.
Confirm
To ratify or approve formally.
The board confirmed the appointment of the new CEO.
Deny
To reject a request or demand.
The company denied the application for a loan.
Confirm
To make something definite or certain.
His actions confirmed his commitment to the project.
Deny
To withhold something requested or desired.
They denied the prisoner access to a lawyer.
Confirm
To support or establish the certainty or validity of; verify
Confirm a rumor.
Deny
To declare untrue; assert to be false
"A senior officer denied that any sensitive documents had been stored there" (Scott Ritter).
Confirm
To reaffirm the establishment of (a reservation or advance arrangement).
Deny
To refuse to believe; reject
Deny the existence of evil spirits.
Confirm
To make firmer; strengthen
Working on the campaign confirmed her intention to go into politics.
Deny
To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow
The official denied any wrongdoing.
Confirm
To make valid or binding by a formal or legal act; ratify.
Deny
To decline to grant or allow; refuse
Deny the student's request.
Denied the prisoner food or water.
Confirm
To administer the religious rite of confirmation to.
Deny
To give a refusal to; turn down or away
The protesters were determined not to be denied.
Confirm
To strengthen; to make firm or resolute.
Deny
To restrain (oneself) especially from indulgence in pleasures.
Confirm
To administer the sacrament of confirmation on (someone).
Deny
(transitive) To disallow or reject.
I wanted to go to the party, but I was denied.
Confirm
To assure the accuracy of previous statements.
Deny
(transitive) To assert that something is not true.
I deny that I was at the party.
Everyone knows he committed the crime, but he still denies it.
Confirm
To make firm or firmer; to add strength to; to establish; as, health is confirmed by exercise.
Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law.
Deny
(ditransitive) To refuse to give or grant something to someone.
My father denied me a good education.
Confirm
To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
Confirmed, then, I resolveAdam shall share with me in bliss or woe.
Deny
To take something away from someone; to deprive of.
Confirm
To give new assurance of the truth of; to render certain; to verify; to corroborate; as, to confirm a rumor.
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale.
These likelihoods confirm her flight.
Deny
To prevent from scoring.
Confirm
To render valid by formal assent; to complete by a necessary sanction; to ratify; as, to confirm the appoinment of an official; the Senate confirms a treaty.
That treaty so prejudicial ought to have been remitted rather than confimed.
Deny
To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, etc.; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.
Confirm
To administer the rite of confirmation to. See Confirmation, 3.
Those which are thus confirmed are thereby supposed to be fit for admission to the sacrament.
Deny
(obsolete) To refuse (to do or accept something).
Confirm
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
His story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant
Deny
To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; - opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.
Confirm
Strengthen or make more firm;
The witnesses confirmed the victim's account
Deny
To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce.
Confirm
Make more firm;
Confirm thy soul in self-control!
Deny
To refuse to grant; to withhold; to refuse to gratify or yield to; as, to deny a request.
Who finds not Providence all good and wise,Alike in what it gives, and what denies?
To some men, it is more agreeable to deny a vicious inclination, than to gratify it.
Confirm
As of a person to a position;
The Senate confirmed the President's candidate for Secretary of Defense
Deny
To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, and the like; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.
The falsehood of denying his opinion.
Thou thrice denied, yet thrice beloved.
Let him deny himself, and take up his cross.
Confirm
Administer the rite of confirmation to;
The children were confirmed in their mother's faith
Deny
To answer in negative; to declare an assertion not to be true.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.
Deny
Declare untrue; contradict;
He denied the allegations
She denied that she had taken money
Deny
Refuse to accept or believe;
He denied his fatal illness
Deny
Refuse to grant, as of a petition or request;
The dean denied the students' request for more physics courses
The prisoners were denied the right to exercise for more than 2 hours a day
Deny
Refuse to let have;
She denies me every pleasure
He denies her her weekly allowance
Deny
Deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure;
She denied herself wine and spirits
Deny
Deny formally (an allegation of fact by the opposing party) in a legal suit
Deny
Refuse to recognize or acknowledge;
Peter denied Jesus
Common Curiosities
What does it mean to confirm something?
Confirming something means verifying its truth or accuracy.
When should you confirm information?
Confirm information when you need to verify its correctness or assure its truth.
Can you confirm a negative statement?
Yes, you can confirm that a negative statement is true, such as confirming that an event will not happen.
What does it mean to deny something?
Denying something means declaring it untrue or refusing to acknowledge it.
When might you deny a statement?
You might deny a statement when it is false or you need to refute an accusation.
What is the opposite of confirm?
The opposite of confirm is deny.
Can you deny an event happened without evidence?
Denying an event without evidence can be unconvincing; it's better to provide reasons or proof.
How does denial protect integrity?
Denial can protect integrity by rejecting false accusations or claims.
Is denial always negative?
Denial is often seen as negative, but it can be positive if it protects against false claims.
How do you confirm a reservation?
You confirm a reservation by checking and validating the booking details with the provider.
How do confirmations build trust?
Confirmations build trust by verifying information and ensuring accuracy, promoting reliability.
What is the opposite of deny?
The opposite of deny is confirm.
Can confirm and deny be used together?
Yes, in statements like "I can neither confirm nor deny the report."
Is confirmation always final?
Confirmation can be final, but in some contexts, it might be subject to change with new evidence.
How do you deny an accusation effectively?
Deny an accusation effectively by providing clear evidence or logical reasoning to refute it.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
