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"Negar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to deny", and "desmentir" is a transitive verb which is also often translated as "to deny". Learn more about the difference between "negar" and "desmentir" below.
negar(
neh
-
gahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
negarse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to refuse
Me niego a pagar cinco dólares de envío por algo que solo cuesta un dólar.I refuse to pay five dollars to ship something that only costs a dollar.
Rodolfo se niega a aceptar que la boda está cancelada.Rodolfo refuses to believe that the wedding is canceled.
desmentir(
dehs
-
mehn
-
teer
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to deny
El escritor desmintió las acusaciones de plagio.The writer denied the plagiarism allegations.
b. to refute
El actor no pudo desmentir los rumores de su amorío.The actor couldn't refute the rumors about his affair.
c. to squelch
La imagen del empresario quedó manchada a pesar de haber desmentido los rumores de fraude.The businessman's image was tarnished despite having squelched the rumors regarding fraud.
a. to contradict
Las pruebas desmienten las acusaciones contra el acusado.The evidence contradicts the accusations against the accused.
desmentirse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to backtrack
Cuando se supo la verdad, no le quedó más remedio que desmentirse.When the truth came out, he had no other choice but to backtrack.
