deny vs fly in the face of

To disclaim connection with, responsibility for, etc.; to refuse to acknowledge; to disown; to abjure; to disavow. 

To assert that something is not true. 

To refuse to give or grant something to someone. 

To disallow or reject. 

To take something away from someone; to deprive of. 

To prevent from scoring. 

To act in a manner highly contrary to; to counteract or contradict.