denial

Academic Word List, sublist 7.

About 9.02 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. noun An assertion of untruth.

   The singer has issued a sweeping denial of all the rumors.

2. noun The negation in logic.

   The denial of "There might be X" is the null, "False, there is no X."

3. noun A refusal or failure to provide or grant something that is requested or desired.

   The denial of medical treatment to those who cannot afford to pay is scandalous.

4. noun Refusal to believe that a problem exists.

   We couldn't break through his denial about being alcoholic.

5. noun Refusal to admit responsibility for wrongdoing.
6. noun Negationism, denialism of historical facts or accepted interpretation.
7. noun A defense mechanism involving a refusal to accept the truth of a phenomenon or prospect.

   He is in denial that he has a drinking problem.

8. noun A disownment or disavowal

   The denial of Jesus by Peter.

Similar words

abnegation self-renunciation self-denial self-abnegation defence defense demurrer denying deniability negation

Often followed by

of and that is to or in was by

Word family

deniable denials denied denies deny denying