Like repudiate, refute is a stronger, more powerful word than deny. To deny is to claim that an opinion, statement, allegation, or charge is simply not true. To refute is to "prove" that whatever is stated or believed is false, erroneous, and groundless."Mrs. Cyrus will deny that she prepared a tasteless meal." "Here is my bank statement to refute your charge that I am penniless." "She denies that she left the dance early and has evidence to refute the rumor that she did." See also deny.
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.