Deny and refuse both involve a kind of no, but they answer different questions. Deny says something isn't true. Refuse says you won't do something.
To deny is to say that something is not true, or that you did not do something.
deny full definition →
To refuse is to say you will not do something, or that you will not accept something offered.
refuse full definition →
| deny | refuse | |
|---|---|---|
| Answers the question | Is it true? | Will you do it? |
| Typical pattern | deny doing something (-ing verb) | refuse to do something (to + verb) |
| Simple test | "I deny it" means it's not true | "I refuse" means I won't do it |
Deny something you didn't do. Refuse something you won't do. Deny takes an -ing verb, refuse takes to plus a verb.
Save both words to GoVocab and review them until they stick.
Download on the App Store