to deny
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to deny
To dispute that a fact or situation is true or exists, often despite knowing better.
Obwohl alles gegen ihn sprach, leugnete der Angeklagte seine Beteiligung an der Tat.
Although everything pointed against him, the defendant denied his involvement in the crime.
cannot be denied
A fixed expression meaning that something is obvious, undeniable, or impossible to overlook.
Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass die Digitalisierung unsere Arbeitswelt stark verändert.
It cannot be denied that digitalization is changing our working world significantly.
'Leugnen' (to deny) is a strong word. It often implies that the person is denying something even though they know it is true, or even though the evidence is clear.
Trotz der Videoaufnahmen leugnete er, das Geld genommen zu haben.
Despite the video recordings, he denied having taken the money.
The verb 'leugnen' (to deny) is related to the noun 'die Lüge' (the lie). This connection helps you understand that denying is about saying something untrue about a fact.
Er leugnete die Fakten, aber seine Körpersprache verriet seine Lüge.
He denied the facts, but his body language revealed his lie.
'Leugnen' (to deny) is very often used with a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) to express which fact is being denied. Alternatively, it can also be followed by a noun in the accusative.
Er leugnete, dass er am Tatort gewesen war.
He denied that he had been at the crime scene.
The expression 'sich nicht leugnen lassen' (cannot be denied) has a fixed structure. The thing that is obvious often appears in a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that), introduced by 'Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass...' (It cannot be denied that...).
Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass er sehr talentiert ist.
It cannot be denied that he is very talented.
to deny / cover / contest
Bestreiten and leugnen can both reject a claim as untrue. Bestreiten is more neutral and initially only says that you do not accept the statement. Leugnen is often used when someone rejects a fact despite knowing better.
Obwohl sie den Fehler kannte, leugnete sie die Tatsache vor allen Kollegen.
Although she knew about the mistake, she denied the fact in front of all her colleagues.
Der Angeklagte bestritt die Behauptung des Zeugen.
The defendant denied the witness’s claim.
