Deny Meaning
Deny Definition & Usage
To refuse to accept, admit, or acknowledge something.
Examples
- "She denied the accusation of cheating during the test."
- "He denied all involvement in the crime."
- "The company denied the allegations of unfair practices."
- "They denied access to the restricted area."
- "Despite the evidence, he continued to deny his guilt."
To refuse to grant or allow something.
Examples
- "The teacher denied the student's request for an extension."
- "She was denied entry to the nightclub because of the dress code."
- "They were denied funding for their project by the committee."
- "I was denied the opportunity to speak at the conference."
- "The athlete was denied a chance to compete in the final due to an injury."
To refuse to acknowledge or accept a reality or fact, often in an emotional or psychological context.
Examples
- "She denied her feelings for him, even though it was obvious to everyone around her."
- "He was in denial about the seriousness of his illness."
- "After the breakup, she continued to deny that it was over."
- "He denied the reality of the situation, insisting everything would get better."
- "Denial can be a form of defense mechanism when faced with uncomfortable truths."
Cultural Context
'Deny' is a verb that has evolved through centuries, originally meaning 'to say no' or 'to refuse'. It has wide usage in both formal and informal contexts, including law, personal relationships, and social interactions.
The Unexpected Denial
Story
The Unexpected Denial
One summer evening, Anna stood nervously in front of the admissions desk at her dream university. She had spent months preparing for this moment, perfecting her application, and hoping for the acceptance letter that would change her life. But as the assistant handed her a sealed envelope, her heart sank. The letter was thick and official-looking, a sign that something was amiss. "I'm sorry, Miss Robinson, but your application has been denied," the assistant said, her voice sympathetic but firm. Anna froze, her hands trembling. Denied? She couldn’t believe it. She had worked so hard. Her mind raced through the details of her application. Was it the essay? The test scores? Did they think she wasn’t good enough? As Anna walked away from the desk, the word 'deny' echoed in her mind. She had been denied an opportunity, the chance to pursue her dream. It felt like a weight pressing down on her chest. Days passed, and Anna couldn’t shake off the feeling of denial. She kept telling herself it was just a setback, that she would try again next year. But deep down, she struggled to deny the truth: she had failed. Meanwhile, across town, her friend John was dealing with his own form of denial. His father had been diagnosed with cancer several months ago, but he refused to face the severity of the illness. He would often joke that his father was just 'taking a break' and would be back to his old self soon. Even as his father’s condition worsened, John denied the reality of what was happening. One evening, after a quiet dinner, Anna visited John. As they sat on his porch, looking at the stars, Anna couldn’t hold back any longer. "You can’t keep denying the truth, John. Your father needs you to be strong for him now. Pretending it’s not happening won’t make it go away." John sighed, finally letting his guard down. "I know. I’ve been in denial. It’s hard to face, but I’ll try." As they talked, Anna realized that while she had been denied an opportunity, she wasn’t going to deny herself the chance to try again. And in that moment, both of them understood that denial, whether of an opportunity or reality, was not the end—it was simply a moment to pause and reassess. The next morning, Anna started planning her next steps. She wasn’t done yet. And John, despite his pain, decided to confront the truth, knowing it was the only way forward.
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