Difference between Deny and Refuse

What is the difference between Deny and Refuse?

Deny as a verb is to not allow. while Refuse as a verb is to decline (a request or demand).

Deny

Part of speech: verb

Definition: To not allow. To assert that something is not true.

Example sentence: We all have cultural bias, racial bias. One of the difficult things around this subject matter is to deny that we have places we go to subconsciously, and unless you consciously decide that that's wrong and you've got to do something about it, especially if you're in a position of power, it won't change.

Refuse

Part of speech: adjective

Definition: Discarded, rejected.

Part of speech: noun

Definition: Collectively, items or material that have been discarded; rubbish, garbage.

Part of speech: verb

Definition: To decline (a request or demand).To decline a request or demand; to withhold permission.

Example sentence: The argument that gay marriage doesn't affect straight marriages is a ridiculous red herring: Gay marriage affects society and law in dramatic ways. Religious groups will come under direct assault as federal and state governments move to strip them of their non-profit statuses if they refuse to perform gay marriages.

We hope you now know whether to use Deny or Refuse in your sentence.

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