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

These two women didn't ask for this grief, and Gaetz's denials and other obstructive behavior have made this already painful process worse for them.

From Salon

A lawyer for the sub-postmasters accused her of living in “a cloud of denial”.

From BBC

A disclaimer at the end of each episode acknowledges Adams’ denial that he was ever a member of the IRA or involved in political violence; it’s a claim “Say Nothing” otherwise freely dismisses.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Related Words

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