Refuse vs. Deny — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 11, 2024
Refuse emphasizes non-acceptance or non-compliance, while deny focuses on rejecting a statement's truth or someone's request.
Difference Between Refuse and Deny
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Key Differences
Refuse often connotes a straightforward rejection or declination of an offer or request, based on unwillingness or inability to comply. On the other hand, deny typically involves the rejection of a claim, accusation, or an assertion, suggesting that what is being stated is not true.
While refusing is more about not accepting something offered or not agreeing to do something, denying is more about asserting that a certain fact or statement is not true. This distinction makes refuse more about actions and choices, and deny more about facts and assertions.
Refuse can also imply a strong determination not to accept or be associated with something, which can be based on principles or preferences. Deny, however, often has a defensive connotation, as it is commonly used in contexts where there is an implication of fault or blame.
In certain contexts, to refuse can also mean to not allow oneself to indulge in something, highlighting self-control or restraint. Whereas, to deny might imply a disavowal or disownment, often in the face of evidence or common belief.
Refusing might not necessarily involve a verbal statement; it can be conveyed through actions or inaction. Denying, however, almost always involves verbal articulation, as it is about countering or rejecting assertions or claims.
ADVERTISEMENT
Comparison Chart
Primary Context
Offers, requests, actions
Claims, accusations, truths
Connotation
Non-acceptance, declination
Rejection, falsehood
Usage
More about actions and choices
More about facts and assertions
Implication
Determination, principles
Defensive, disavowal
Communication
Can be non-verbal
Typically verbal
Compare with Definitions
Refuse
To indicate unwillingness to do something.
He refused to comment on the matter.
Deny
To declare a statement to be untrue.
He denied the allegations against him.
Refuse
To decline to accept something.
She refused the gift out of modesty.
Deny
To withhold something from someone.
He felt denied of a fair chance.
Refuse
To not allow for a certain possibility.
The system refuses any duplicate entries.
Deny
To refuse to grant or give.
The request was denied due to lack of evidence.
Refuse
To resist or withstand.
The material refuses to bend under pressure.
Deny
To reject the validity or truth of something.
She denied any involvement in the incident.
Refuse
To decline to submit or comply.
She refused to sign the document.
Deny
To refuse to acknowledge or recognize.
He denied his acquaintance with the suspect.
Refuse
To indicate unwillingness to do, accept, give, or allow
She was refused admittance. He refused treatment.
Deny
To declare untrue; assert to be false
"A senior officer denied that any sensitive documents had been stored there" (Scott Ritter).
Refuse
To indicate unwillingness (to do something)
Refused to leave.
Deny
To refuse to believe; reject
Deny the existence of evil spirits.
Refuse
To decline to jump (an obstacle). Used of a horse.
Deny
To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow
The official denied any wrongdoing.
Refuse
To decline to do, accept, give, or allow something.
Deny
To decline to grant or allow; refuse
Deny the student's request.
Denied the prisoner food or water.
Refuse
Items or material discarded or rejected as useless or worthless; trash or rubbish.
Deny
To give a refusal to; turn down or away
The protesters were determined not to be denied.
Refuse
Discarded, rejected.
Deny
To restrain (oneself) especially from indulgence in pleasures.
Refuse
Collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.
Deny
(transitive) To disallow or reject.
I wanted to go to the party, but I was denied.
Refuse
(obsolete) refusal
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.
Refuse
(transitive) To decline (a request or demand).
My request for a pay rise was refused.
Deny
(ditransitive) To refuse to give or grant something to someone.
My father denied me a good education.
Refuse
(intransitive) To decline a request or demand, forbear; to withhold permission.
I refuse to listen to this nonsense any more.
I asked the star if I could have her autograph, but she refused.
Deny
To take something away from someone; to deprive of.
Refuse
(military) To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the centre, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular alignment when troops are about to engage the enemy.
To refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks
Deny
To prevent from scoring.
Refuse
To disown.
Deny
To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, etc.; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.
Refuse
To melt again.
Deny
(obsolete) To refuse (to do or accept something).
Refuse
To deny, as a request, demand, invitation, or command; to decline to do or grant.
That never yet refused your hest.
Deny
To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; - opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.
Refuse
To throw back, or cause to keep back (as the center, a wing, or a flank), out of the regular aligment when troops ar about to engage the enemy; as, to refuse the right wing while the left wing attacks.
Deny
To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce.
Refuse
To decline to accept; to reject; to deny the request or petition of; as, to refuse a suitor.
The cunning workman never doth refuseThe meanest tool that he may chance to use.
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.
Refuse
To disown.
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.
Refuse
To deny compliance; not to comply.
Too proud to ask, too humble to refuse.
If ye refuse . . . ye shall be devoured with the sword.
Deny
To answer in negative; to declare an assertion not to be true.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.
Refuse
Refusal.
Deny
Declare untrue; contradict;
He denied the allegations
She denied that she had taken money
Refuse
That which is refused or rejected as useless; waste or worthless matter.
Deny
Refuse to accept or believe;
He denied his fatal illness
Refuse
Refused; rejected; hence; left as unworthy of acceptance; of no value; worthless.
Everything that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.
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
Refuse
Food that is discarded (as from a kitchen)
Deny
Refuse to let have;
She denies me every pleasure
He denies her her weekly allowance
Refuse
Show unwillingness towards;
He declined to join the group on a hike
Deny
Deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure;
She denied herself wine and spirits
Refuse
Refuse to accept;
He refused my offer of hospitality
Deny
Deny formally (an allegation of fact by the opposing party) in a legal suit
Refuse
Elude, especially in a baffling way;
This behavior defies explanation
Deny
Refuse to recognize or acknowledge;
Peter denied Jesus
Refuse
Refuse to let have;
She denies me every pleasure
He denies her her weekly allowance
Refuse
Resist immunologically the introduction of some foreign tissue or organ;
His body rejected the liver of the donor
Refuse
Refuse entrance or membership;
They turned away hundreds of fans
Black people were often rejected by country clubs
Common Curiosities
Can refusal be non-verbal?
Yes, refusal can be expressed through actions or inaction, not just verbally.
How do refuse and deny differ in connotation?
Refuse often has a connotation of declination or non-acceptance, while deny implies rejection of truth or validity.
Can you deny without refusing?
Yes, denying a claim or statement's truth doesn't always involve refusing an action or offer.
What does it mean to refuse something?
To refuse something means to decline to accept it or to indicate unwillingness to do something.
Is denying always verbal?
Denying typically involves verbal articulation as it's about countering assertions or claims.
What is an example of refusing based on self-control?
Refusing an extra serving of dessert due to dietary reasons is an example of self-control.
Do both refuse and deny have negative connotations?
Both can have negative connotations, but the context often determines the perceived negativity.
Can refusing be based on principles?
Yes, refusing something can be based on personal principles, ethics, or preferences.
What does it mean to deny something?
To deny something means to declare that it is not true or to reject the validity of a statement or claim.
Is refusing more about actions or statements?
Refusing is more about actions and choices, including declination and non-compliance.
Can you refuse without denying?
Yes, one can refuse an offer or request without necessarily denying anything, simply by not accepting.
Is denying related to truth and facts?
Yes, denying often involves rejecting the truth of statements, claims, or accusations.
Does denying imply a defensive stance?
Often, denying involves a defensive stance, especially in the context of accusations or faults.
Can denying involve disownment?
Denying can involve disownment or disavowal, especially in contexts where association is detrimental.
How do the implications of refusing and denying differ in a legal context?
In a legal context, refusing might relate to non-compliance with requests, while denying could involve contesting allegations or evidence.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Comparison
Illusive vs. Elusive
Next Comparison
Oval vs. CircleAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
