deny guilt

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "deny guilt" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it in contexts where someone is asserting that they are not guilty of a crime or wrongdoing. Example: "The defendant chose to deny guilt during the trial." Alternative expressions include "refute guilt" and "reject guilt."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

The firm did not admit or deny guilt.

The New York Times

One cannot deny guilt on the part of survivors because it exists.

The New Yorker

The two banks didn't admit or deny guilt in settling with the regulator.

The New York Times

Mr. Memmott, who did not admit or deny guilt, agreed to the penalty.

The New York Times

The trial, in which all the defendants deny guilt, may also add momentum to efforts to regulate Britain's obstreperous press.

The New York Times

Wells Fargo did not admit or deny guilt, but has fired about 5,300 employees in relation to the scandal, which dates back to at least 2011.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

Both men have denied guilt.

The New York Times

No one has admitted or denied guilt.

The Economist

Morgan Stanley, in settling the case, neither admitted nor denied guilt.

The New York Times

Merrill agreed to the findings without admitting or denying guilt.

The New York Times

Under that agreement, Merrill neither admitted nor denied guilt.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reserve "deny guilt" for reporting on the defendant's personal stance or public statements, while using "plead not guilty" for formal court proceedings

Common error

Avoid using "deny guilty" as a substitute. Guilt is the noun representing the state of having committed an offense, while guilty is the adjective. You can "deny guilt" or "plead not guilty", but you cannot "deny guilty".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "deny guilt" functions as a transitive verb phrase where "deny" acts as the action and "guilt" serves as the direct object. According to Ludwig, it is standard English and is frequently found in legal and journalistic registers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

20%

Reference

5%

Less common in

Social Media

3%

Academic

1%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "deny guilt" is a highly established phrase in the English language, particularly within legal and journalistic domains. Ludwig AI confirms that its most distinctive usage appears in the boilerplate settlement language "neither admit nor deny guilt", a phrase used by major financial institutions and regulatory bodies like the SEC. While it is grammatically simple—consisting of a verb and its noun object—it carries specific legal implications that distinguish it from the more procedural "plead not guilty". Writers should use it when describing a general stance of innocence or when quoting specific legal settlements to ensure precision and professional tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

maintain innocence

Suggests a persistent and ongoing stance of being innocent over time

protest innocence

Emphasizes a vocal and active declaration of not being guilty

deny wrongdoing

A broader term often used in corporate contexts to avoid admitting any ethical or legal slip

plead not guilty

The specific technical term used during a formal court arraignment

refute the allegations

Focuses on disproving or providing evidence against specific claims

reject the charges

Asserts a refusal to accept the validity of legal accusations

disclaim liability

Often used in civil law to deny legal responsibility for damages or debts

dispute the findings

Used when challenging the results of an investigation or report

repudiate the claims

A very formal way to refuse to have anything to do with the accusations

contest the verdict

Specifically refers to challenging a decision that has already been reached

FAQs

What is a more formal way to say "deny guilt"?

Depending on the context, you can use more formal or legalistic phrases like "maintain innocence" or "refute the allegations".

When should I use "deny guilt" instead of "plead not guilty"?

Use "deny guilt" for general descriptions of a person's stance or in settlement news, whereas "plead not guilty" should be reserved for the specific procedural step in a criminal trial.

Is "deny guilt" commonly used in business settlements?

Yes, it is very common in the specific phrase "neither admit nor deny guilt", which allows companies to settle cases without a formal admission of a crime.

Can I use "deny wrongdoing" as a synonym?

Yes, "deny wrongdoing" is a very common alternative, often preferred in corporate and civil contexts where the term guilt might sound too criminal.