Confirm vs. Deny: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || 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.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
"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.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
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.

Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Comparison Chart
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Sentence Structure
"Can you confirm your attendance?"
"I deny the allegations."

Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
Confirm and Deny Definitions
Confirm
To establish the truth or validity of something.
The tests confirmed the diagnosis.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
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Confirm
To acknowledge with definite assurance.
I can confirm I received your email.

Sara Rehman
Oct 10, 2023
Confirm
To reinforce a belief or feeling.
The victory confirmed their superiority in the sport.

Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
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Deny
To restrain or hold oneself from.
He denied himself the pleasure of dessert.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Confirm
To support or establish the certainty or validity of; verify
Confirm a rumor.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To declare untrue; assert to be false
"A senior officer denied that any sensitive documents had been stored there" (Scott Ritter).

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
To reaffirm the establishment of (a reservation or advance arrangement).

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
To make firmer; strengthen
Working on the campaign confirmed her intention to go into politics.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To refuse to recognize or acknowledge; disavow
The official denied any wrongdoing.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To decline to grant or allow; refuse
Deny the student's request.
Denied the prisoner food or water.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To give a refusal to; turn down or away
The protesters were determined not to be denied.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
(transitive) To disallow or reject.
I wanted to go to the party, but I was denied.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
(ditransitive) To refuse to give or grant something to someone.
My father denied me a good education.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
To strengthen in judgment or purpose.
Confirmed, then, I resolveAdam shall share with me in bliss or woe.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, etc.; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
Establish or strengthen as with new evidence or facts;
His story confirmed my doubts
The evidence supports the defendant

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To declare not to be true; to gainsay; to contradict; - opposed to affirm, allow, or admit.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
Strengthen or make more firm;
The witnesses confirmed the victim's account

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To refuse (to do something or to accept something); to reject; to decline; to renounce.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
As of a person to a position;
The Senate confirmed the President's candidate for Secretary of Defense

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
Administer the rite of confirmation to;
The children were confirmed in their mother's faith

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
To answer in negative; to declare an assertion not to be true.
Then Sarah denied, saying, I laughed not; for she was afraid.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Confirm
To make an arrangement or appointment definite.
Please confirm your reservation by tomorrow.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 10, 2023
Deny
Declare untrue; contradict;
He denied the allegations
She denied that she had taken money

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
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

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
Refuse to let have;
She denies me every pleasure
He denies her her weekly allowance

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
Deny oneself (something); restrain, especially from indulging in some pleasure;
She denied herself wine and spirits

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
Deny
Deny formally (an allegation of fact by the opposing party) in a legal suit

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 07, 2023
FAQs
How does "confirm" relate to decision-making?
"Confirm" can be used to finalize or affirm a decision.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Is "confirm" always related to positive outcomes?
No, "confirm" only relates to establishing truth, whether positive or negative.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can "deny" be used in a non-negative context?
Yes, "deny" can be neutral, like denying access due to protocol.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
When would one "deny" in legal terms?
One might "deny" an accusation or charges in a court of law.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can "deny" imply disbelief?
Yes, if one denies a fact or story, they express disbelief.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Is "deny" always definitive?
Not always. Someone might deny an accusation but later be proven wrong.

Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Are "confirm" and "approve" synonymous?
They're similar, but "approve" means to accept/agree, while "confirm" means to validate.

Harlon Moss
Nov 01, 2023
How is "confirm" used in religious contexts?
In some religions, "confirm" refers to a rite of initiation or affirmation of faith.

Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
What's the antonym of "confirm"?
"Deny" can be considered an antonym of "confirm."

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
Can "deny" imply a refusal without a stated reason?
Yes, one can deny a request without giving an explanation.

Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
Is "reconfirm" redundant?
Not necessarily. "Reconfirm" implies checking or validating something again.

Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
How does "confirm" relate to certainty?
"Confirm" implies a degree of certainty or assurance about information.

Sawaira Riaz
Nov 01, 2023
How are "confirm" and "deny" used in the context of rumors?
Rumors can be "confirmed" if proven true and "denied" if found false.

Harlon Moss
Nov 01, 2023
Can "confirm" be used when verifying identity?
Yes, e.g., "Please confirm your identity by entering your PIN."

Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
When would one use "confirm" in science?
Scientists might "confirm" a hypothesis through experiments.

Sara Rehman
Nov 01, 2023
Can "deny" mean to restrain oneself?
Yes, like when one denies oneself of certain pleasures or habits.

Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
Can "deny" relate to emotions?
Yes, someone might "deny" their true feelings or emotions.

Harlon Moss
Nov 01, 2023
What's a synonym of "deny" in the context of refusal?
"Reject" is a synonym in this context.

Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
How is "confirm" used in technology?
It's often used to validate actions, e.g., "Confirm password" or "Confirm file deletion."

Janet White
Nov 01, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
