What does denyingly mean?
'Denyingly' is a rare English adverb formed from the verb 'deny' plus the adverbial suffix '-ingly'. It describes an action performed in a manner that denies, contradicts, or refuses to acknowledge something — as when a suspect answers a question denyingly, or shakes his head denyingly at an accusation. The word carries a formal, slightly literary tone and is uncommon in everyday speech, where writers typically prefer constructions such as 'in denial' or simply use the verb 'deny'. Its root traces back through Old French 'denier' to Latin 'denegare', meaning to refuse or reject, a root shared with words like 'negative' and 'abnegate'. While rarely encountered, 'denyingly' offers writers a compact way to convey refusal or contradiction as a manner of action rather than as a stated fact.
adverbIn a manner that denies or refuses to admit something; with explicit rejection or contradiction of a statement or accusation.
- In a manner that denies, rejects, or contradicts something.
"When asked about the missing funds, he shook his head denyingly and refused to sign the statement."
"She answered the reporter's question denyingly, insisting she had never met the man."
"The witness shook his head denyingly when counsel suggested otherwise."
Rare enough that many dictionaries skip it, 'denyingly' does exactly what it sounds like: it describes the act of saying no — grammatically.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of denyingly
The word derives from the verb 'deny', which entered Middle English from Old French 'denier', itself from Latin 'denegare' — formed from 'de-' (intensifying) and 'negare' (to say no), the same root behind 'negative', 'negate', and 'renegade'. The suffix '-ingly', common in forming adverbs of manner from participles, was attached to produce this form. It appears only sporadically in written English and has never become widely established.
How denyingly is actually used
A rare, somewhat literary adverb; in most modern writing the phrase 'in denial' or the verb 'deny' is preferred, making 'denyingly' suitable chiefly for stylistic or descriptive effect.
Easily confused with denyingly
'Defiantly' means in a boldly resistant or disobedient way, while 'denyingly' means by way of denying or contradicting something.