Confirm vs. Deny: What's the Difference?
Edited by Aimie Carlson || By Janet White || Published on November 1, 2023
"Confirm" means to establish the truth or validity of something; "Deny" means to declare a statement untrue or refuse a request.
Key Differences
"Confirm" is a term rooted in the validation or affirmation of a particular fact, decision, or belief. It implies a sense of assurance about a specific matter. When someone asks you to confirm an appointment, they are essentially seeking affirmation that the appointment stands as planned.
"Deny", on the other hand, implies a rejection or contradiction of a statement or fact. It is the act of dismissing a particular claim or request. When someone denies an accusation, they are stating that the accusation is not true, essentially rejecting the claim presented to them.
Both "Confirm" and "Deny" play crucial roles in communication, particularly in contexts where clarification or verification is required. While "Confirm" adds a layer of certainty to information, "Deny" removes or challenges the authenticity of that information.
In practical use, "Confirm" often appears when double-checking or verifying details, like confirming a reservation or an order. Conversely, "Deny" is prominent in situations where there's a need to negate or refuse something, such as denying access to a particular place or denying a rumor.
Comparison Chart
Meaning
To validate or establish truth.
To reject or declare untrue.
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Usage
Positive affirmation.
Negative refutation.
Synonyms
Affirm, Validate, Verify
Refute, Reject, Disallow
Context
Often used to assure or double-check.
Often used to negate or oppose.
Sentence Structure
"Can you confirm your attendance?"
"I deny the allegations."
Confirm and Deny Definitions
Confirm
To establish the truth or validity of something.
The tests confirmed the diagnosis.
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Deny
To declare a statement untrue.
He denied the rumors about him.
Confirm
To acknowledge with definite assurance.
I can confirm I received your email.
Deny
To refuse a request or right.
The court denied the appeal.
Confirm
To reinforce a belief or feeling.
The victory confirmed their superiority in the sport.
Deny
To withhold something from.
She was denied access to the files.
Confirm
To endorse or give support.
The manager confirmed the team's strategy.
Deny
To restrain or hold oneself from.
He denied himself the pleasure of dessert.
Confirm
To support or establish the certainty or validity of; verify
Confirm a rumor.
Deny
To declare untrue; assert to be false
"A senior officer denied that any sensitive documents had been stored there" (Scott Ritter).
Confirm
To reaffirm the establishment of (a reservation or advance arrangement).
Deny
To refuse to believe; reject
Deny the existence of evil spirits.
Confirm
To make firmer; strengthen
Working on the campaign confirmed her intention to go into politics.
Deny
To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow
The official denied any wrongdoing.
Confirm
To make valid or binding by a formal or legal act; ratify.
Deny
To decline to grant or allow; refuse
Deny the student's request.
Denied the prisoner food or water.
Confirm
To administer the religious rite of confirmation to.
Deny
To give a refusal to; turn down or away
The protesters were determined not to be denied.
Confirm
To strengthen; to make firm or resolute.
Deny
To restrain (oneself) especially from indulgence in pleasures.
Confirm
To administer the sacrament of confirmation on (someone).
Deny
(transitive) To disallow or reject.
I wanted to go to the party, but I was denied.
Confirm
To assure the accuracy of previous statements.
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.
Confirm
To make firm or firmer; to add strength to; to establish; as, health is confirmed by exercise.
Confirm the crown to me and to mine heirs.
And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law.
Deny
(ditransitive) To refuse to give or grant something to someone.
My father denied me a good education.
Confirm
To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
Confirmed, then, I resolveAdam shall share with me in bliss or woe.
Deny
To take something away from someone; to deprive of.
Confirm
To give new assurance of the truth of; to render certain; to verify; to corroborate; as, to confirm a rumor.
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale.
These likelihoods confirm her flight.
Deny
To prevent from scoring.
Confirm
To render valid by formal assent; to complete by a necessary sanction; to ratify; as, to confirm the appoinment of an official; the Senate confirms a treaty.
That treaty so prejudicial ought to have been remitted rather than confimed.
Deny
To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, etc.; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.
Confirm
To administer the rite of confirmation to. See Confirmation, 3.
Those which are thus confirmed are thereby supposed to be fit for admission to the sacrament.
Deny
(obsolete) To refuse (to do or accept something).
Confirm
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
His story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant
Deny
To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; - opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.
Confirm
Strengthen or make more firm;
The witnesses confirmed the victim's account
Deny
To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce.
Confirm
Make more firm;
Confirm thy soul in self-control!
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.
Confirm
As of a person to a position;
The Senate confirmed the President's candidate for Secretary of Defense
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.
Confirm
Administer the rite of confirmation to;
The children were confirmed in their mother's faith
Deny
To answer in negative; to declare an assertion not to be true.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.
Confirm
To make an arrangement or appointment definite.
Please confirm your reservation by tomorrow.
Deny
Declare untrue; contradict;
He denied the allegations
She denied that she had taken money
Deny
Refuse to accept or believe;
He denied his fatal illness
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
Deny
Refuse to let have;
She denies me every pleasure
He denies her her weekly allowance
Deny
Deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure;
She denied herself wine and spirits
Deny
Deny formally (an allegation of fact by the opposing party) in a legal suit
Deny
Refuse to recognize or acknowledge;
Peter denied Jesus
Deny
To disown or reject.
He denied his roots and heritage.
FAQs
How does "confirm" relate to decision-making?
"Confirm" can be used to finalize or affirm a decision.
Is "confirm" always related to positive outcomes?
No, "confirm" only relates to establishing truth, whether positive or negative.
Can "deny" be used in a non-negative context?
Yes, "deny" can be neutral, like denying access due to protocol.
When would one "deny" in legal terms?
One might "deny" an accusation or charges in a court of law.
Can "deny" imply disbelief?
Yes, if one denies a fact or story, they express disbelief.
Is "deny" always definitive?
Not always. Someone might deny an accusation but later be proven wrong.
Are "confirm" and "approve" synonymous?
They're similar, but "approve" means to accept/agree, while "confirm" means to validate.
How is "confirm" used in religious contexts?
In some religions, "confirm" refers to a rite of initiation or affirmation of faith.
What's the antonym of "confirm"?
"Deny" can be considered an antonym of "confirm."
Can "deny" imply a refusal without a stated reason?
Yes, one can deny a request without giving an explanation.
Is "reconfirm" redundant?
Not necessarily. "Reconfirm" implies checking or validating something again.
How does "confirm" relate to certainty?
"Confirm" implies a degree of certainty or assurance about information.
How are "confirm" and "deny" used in the context of rumors?
Rumors can be "confirmed" if proven true and "denied" if found false.
Can "confirm" be used when verifying identity?
Yes, e.g., "Please confirm your identity by entering your PIN."
When would one use "confirm" in science?
Scientists might "confirm" a hypothesis through experiments.
Can "deny" mean to restrain oneself?
Yes, like when one denies oneself of certain pleasures or habits.
Can "deny" relate to emotions?
Yes, someone might "deny" their true feelings or emotions.
What's a synonym of "deny" in the context of refusal?
"Reject" is a synonym in this context.
How is "confirm" used in technology?
It's often used to validate actions, e.g., "Confirm password" or "Confirm file deletion."
What's the noun form of "deny"?
The noun form is "denial."
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
