What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deny
Example
He denied any involvement in the crime. [deny: verb]
Example
The company denied my application for a loan. [denied: past tense]
Example
She denied that she had ever met him before. [denying: present participle]
repudiate
Example
The politician repudiated his earlier statements on immigration. [repudiated: past tense]
Example
The company repudiated the claims made by the former employee. [repudiated: past participle]
Example
She repudiated her father's conservative views and became a liberal activist. [repudiated: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Deny is more common than repudiate in everyday language and covers a wider range of contexts. Repudiate is more formal and less common, often used in legal or contractual contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deny and repudiate?
Repudiate is more formal than deny and is often used in legal or academic contexts. Deny is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.