Value of Equity Denial

I was exposed recently to the idea that we can make bets with hands that don't quite meet the equity threshold for a value bet, if we are denying enough equity from villains as well. It seems like the common way to think about a value bet in a very raw sense is if you have >50% equity vs the range that calls your bet, it would be a profitable value bet, however I know this doesn't always apply. OOP on the river for example (obviously there is no equity left to deny) , I know we can block bet hands with less than 50% equity but I had assumed that is just because checking is lower EV relative to IP where we close action, so I don't think it is quite the same thing.

I have been looking at some multiway sims lately, and the idea of equity denial has been very prevalent so I am looking for a better way to quantify what the "value" of equity denial is in these contexts, but also heads up. I know there are a ton of factors leading to the final strategies but I'm looking to understand this part a little better conceptually, thanks.