plausible deniability
The organization of clandestine activity in such a way that knowledge of its existence…The organization of clandestine activity in such a way that knowledge of its existence may be denied by those in authority.
» The trick is to maintain plausible deniability.
Meaning
1 senses(uncountable, usually)The organization of clandestine activity in such a way that knowledge of its existence may be denied by those in authority.
glaubhafte Abstreitbarkeit, glaubhafte Bestreitbarkeit
правдоподо́бное отрица́ниеpravdopodóbnoje otricánije
Examples
2 sentencesThe trick is to maintain plausible deniability.
The plausible deniability associated with hacking has ushered in an era of cyber warfare.
Translations
4 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
Originally CIA jargon from the 1950s, and popularized during the Watergate scandal (1970s)Originally CIA jargon from the 1950s, and popularized during the Watergate scandal (1970s).
Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
Forms
plural: plausible deniabilities| Singular | plausible deniability |
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uncountable
Word family
2 related wordsLessons for this word
1 lessons- A1Countable and uncountable nouns — Because it can be uncountable