Phrase guide

plausible deniability

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

The organization of clandestine activity in such a way that knowledge of its existence may be denied by those in authority.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: business, espionage, government, military, politics, war

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Originally CIA jargon from the 1950s, and popularized during the Watergate scandal (1970s).

Across languages

Translations

6 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: uskottava kiistettävyys — organization of a clandestine activity
  • French: déni plausible — organization of a clandestine activity
  • German: glaubhafte Abstreitbarkeit — organization of a clandestine activity
  • German: glaubhafte Bestreitbarkeit — organization of a clandestine activity
  • Polish: wiarygodne zaprzeczenie — organization of a clandestine activity
  • Russian: правдоподо́бное отрица́ние (pravdopodóbnoje otricánije) — organization of a clandestine activity