denial

[ dih-nahy-uhl ]

noun

1. an assertion that something said, believed, alleged, etc., is false:

   Despite his denials, we knew he had taken the purse. The politician issued a denial of his opponent's charges.

   Synonyms: repudiation, disclaimer, disavowal

   Antonyms: confession, acknowledgment, admission

2. refusal to believe a doctrine, theory, or the like.
3. disbelief in the existence or reality of a thing.
4. the refusal to satisfy a claim, request, desire, etc., or the refusal of a person making it.
5. refusal to recognize or acknowledge; a disowning or disavowal:

   the traitor's denial of his country; Peter's denial of Christ.

6. Law. refusal to acknowledge the validity of a claim, suit, or the like; a plea that denies allegations of fact in an adversary's plea:

   Although she sued for libel, he entered a general denial.

7. sacrifice of one's own wants or needs; self-denial.
8. Psychology. an unconscious defense mechanism used to reduce anxiety by denying thoughts, feelings, or facts that are consciously intolerable.

denial

/ dɪˈnaɪəl /

noun

1. a refusal to agree or comply with a statement; contradiction
2. the rejection of the truth of a proposition, doctrine, etc

   a denial of God's existence

3. a negative reply; rejection of a request
4. a refusal to acknowledge; renunciation; disavowal

   a denial of one's leader

5. a psychological process by which painful truths are not admitted into an individual's consciousness See also defence mechanism
6. abstinence; self-denial

Other Words From

• nonde·nial noun
• prede·nial adjective
• rede·nial noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of denial¹

First recorded in 1520–30; deny + -al ²

Example Sentences

Russia's denial comes days after Russia and Ukraine launched their largest drone attacks since the start of the war.

From BBC

When you’re living in denial about who you are or what people think — you don’t have to believe what they think — but if you’re aware, you can maneuver through it.”

From Los Angeles Times

Trump also narrowed the door to international students during his first term, increasing visa denials and slowing processing of requests.

From Los Angeles Times

A few individual liberals may be in denial, but there is no election-denying industry, at least not for Democrats.

From Salon

Their views are echoed by other scholars who specialize in climate change denial.

From Salon

Related Words

• disapproval
• rebuttal
• rejection
• repudiation
• retraction
• veto