A general denial in legal pleadings is a statement such as "defendant denies each and every allegation contained in the complaint" in a defendant's answer to a complaint. It denies everything alleged in the complaint without specifically denying any allegation.
The following is an example of a state court rule dealing with general denials:
(a) General denial. A denial by the defendant of the statement of claim shall be deemed to render available to the defendant any other matter constituting an avoidance, affirmative defense, or set-off.
