A denial of something is a statement that it is not true, does not exist, or did not happen.
Despite official denials, the rumours still persist.
Denial of the Mafia's existence is nothing new. [+ of]
2. uncountable noun
The denialof something to someone is the act of refusing to let them have it.
[formal]
...the denial of visas to international relief workers. [+ of]
This does not justify the denial of constitutional protection.
Synonyms: refusal, veto, rejection, prohibition More Synonyms of denial
3. uncountable noun [oft inNOUN]
In psychology, denial is when a person cannot or will not accept an unpleasant truth.
With traumas like losing a loved one, the mind's first reaction is denial.
...an addict who is in denial about his addiction.
More Synonyms of denial
denial in British English
(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
denial in American English
(diˈnaɪəl; dɪˈnaɪəl)
noun
1.
the act of denying; a saying “no” (to a request, demand, etc.)
2.
a statement in opposition to another; contradiction
the denial of a rumor
3.
the act of disowning; repudiation
the denial of one's family
4.
a refusal to believe or accept (a doctrine, etc.)
5. Psychology
an unconscious thought process whereby one allays anxiety by refusing to acknowledge the existence of certain unpleasant aspects of external reality or of one's thoughts, feelings, etc.
now often in the phrase in denial
6.
self-denial
7. Law
the opposing by a defendant of a claim or charge against him or her
Examples of 'denial' in a sentence
denial
Too many of our political elite are in denial about the referendum result.
The Sun (2016)
There's denial and anger and then finally acceptance - you have to go through the whole process.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We are in denial about the future - which means we are failing to prepare for the looming cost of care, as individuals or as a society.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
To say he was to blame would be a complete denial of the evidence.
The Sun (2008)
The official denials may be sufficient to allow him entry.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
She is in total denial about the health risks.
The Sun (2007)
Membership offers the only hope cutting down the unelected hierarchies and ending official denials.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
She feels guilty and is in denial about what she allowed to happen to you.
The Sun (2014)
Your reluctance to tell your boyfriend that you have impaired hearing suggests a certain amount of denial about your condition.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
He is in denial about debt.
The Sun (2010)
At the moment, the networks seem to be in complete denial.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
He asked her to issue an official denial of it, but this she refused to do.
Veronica Buckley CHRISTINA QUEEN OF SWEDEN: The Restless Life of a European Eccentric (2004)
Accused is the story of the agony of one man's life of denial.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I was in complete denial of my life.
The Sun (2010)
Though defendant was angered at the denial of his request, he and his wife went at their own expense.
Christianity Today (2000)
Initial stages of denial and anger were followed by a doomed attempt to bargain with the Scottish people for their votes.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He is in complete denial.
The Sun (2012)
There is no official denial.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
I'm at once full of dread and in complete denial.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
Though sceptical, they were willing to accept the denial, to protect the government.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
And they'll go through stages of denial, anger and sadness.
The Sun (2009)
Go around to their place; they're in denial about modern life.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
He may live his life in denial but make sure you're not copying him now by worrying more about other women's health than your own.
The Sun (2008)
The MP in question had had his denial accepted, clearly without the slightest suggestion that the police might take an interest in his penchant.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
In other languages
denial
British English: denial NOUN
A denial of something is a statement that it is not true, does not exist, or did not happen.
Despite official denials, the rumours still persist.
American English: denial
Brazilian Portuguese: refutação
Chinese: 否认
European Spanish: denegación
French: démenti
German: Leugnen
Italian: smentita
Japanese: 否定
Korean: 부인
European Portuguese: refutação
Latin American Spanish: denegación
Chinese translation of 'denial'
denial
(dɪˈnaɪəl)
n
(c/u) (= refutation) 否定 (fǒudìng)
(u) (= refusal) 拒绝(絕) (jùjué)
to be in denial拒绝(絕)接受 (jùjué jiēshòu)
1 (noun)
Definition
a statement that something is not true
their previous denial of their involvement
Synonyms
negation
She shook her head in a gesture of negation.
dismissal
contradiction
What he does is a contradiction of what he says.
dissent
disclaimer
A disclaimer states that the company will not be held responsible.
retraction
repudiation
disavowal
adjuration
Opposites
admission
,
declaration
,
profession
,
revelation
,
disclosure
,
confession
,
affirmation
,
acknowledgment
,
avowal
,
divulgence
2 (noun)
Definition
a rejection of a request
the denial of visas to international workers
Synonyms
refusal
a refusal of planning permission
veto
congressmen who tried to override the president's veto of the bill
rejection
These feelings of rejection and hurt remain.
prohibition
a comprehensive prohibition of nuclear weapons
rebuff
The results of the poll dealt a humiliating rebuff to Mr Jones.
repulse
If he meets with a repulse he will not be cast down.
3 (noun)
This religion teaches denial of the flesh.
Synonyms
renunciation
a renunciation of terrorism
giving up
rejection
his rejection of our values
spurning
abstention
abdication
There had been a complete abdication of responsibility.
repudiation
a public repudiation of the conference decision
forswearing
disavowal
a public disavowal of his beliefs
abnegation
He attacked `society' for its abnegation of responsibility.
relinquishment
eschewal
Additional synonyms
in the sense of abdication
There had been a complete abdication of responsibility.
Synonyms
renunciation,
giving up,
surrender,
abandonment,
waiver,
abnegation,
relinquishment
in the sense of abnegation
Definition
the act of giving something up
He attacked `society' for its abnegation of responsibility.