negation

[ ni-gey-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of denying:

   He shook his head in negation of the charge.

2. a denial:

   a negation of one's former beliefs.

3. something that is without existence; nonentity.
4. the absence or opposite of something that is actual, positive, or affirmative:

   Darkness is the negation of light.

5. a negative statement, idea, concept, doctrine, etc.; a contradiction, refutation, or rebuttal:

   a shameless lie that demands a negation.

negation

/ nɪˈɡeɪʃən /

noun

1. the opposite or absence of something
2. a negative thing or condition
3. the act or an instance of negating
4. logic
   1. the operator that forms one sentence from another and corresponds to the English not
   2. a sentence so formed. It is usually written –p, ~p, ̄p or ⇁ p , where p is the given sentence, and is false when the given sentence is true, and true when it is false

Other Words From

• ne·gation·al adjective
• ne·gation·ist noun
• nonne·gation noun
• rene·gation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of negation¹

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin negātiōn-, stem of negātiō “denial”; equivalent to negate + -ion

Example Sentences

In an array of communications, ranging from advertising to legal filings, negation is often used intentionally to mask a clear understanding of a phrase.

From Science Daily

“I’m intransigent on laïcité, because it helps with national cohesion, national community. It’s not a negation of religion,” Le Drezen said.

From Seattle Times

And my idea of degrowth is not a negation of technology.

From Salon

The negation of LeBron James is not related to sports, rather it is a cultural stain.

From Salon

“It wasn’t a negation of color. It was an acceptance. Because black encompasses all colors.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• antithesis
• renunciation
• repudiation