denial

pronunciation

How to pronounce denial in British English: UK [dɪˈnaɪəl] word uk audio image

How to pronounce denial in American English: US [dɪˈnaɪəl] word us audio image

Noun:

the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
the act of asserting that something alleged is not true
(psychiatry) a defense mechanism that denies painful thoughts
renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him

Word Origin

denial (n.): 1520s; see deny + -al (2). Replaced earlier denyance (mid-15c.). Meaning "unconscious suppression of painful or embarrassing feelings" first attested 1914 in A.A. Brill's translation of Freud's "Psychopathology of Everyday Life"; phrase in denial popularized 1980s.

Synonym

n.

disowning renouncement renunciation

n.

gainsay repudiation disclaimer denegation contradiction disclamation negation disavowal

n.

disbelief doubt unbelief scepticism distrust

n.

veto no disapproval dismissal turndown rebuff disallowance repulse prohibition refusal rejection declination

n.

answer disagreement demur dissent demurral refutation

Antonym

n.

affirmation concession acknowledgement confirmation

Example

1. Climate-change denial is a special category all its own .

2. Yet the country was in denial about its problems .

3. Arguably , some countries are in denial .

4. We have a word for that , it 's called denial .

5. In the world of compulsion and denial , no behaviour is innocent .

more: >How to Use "denial" with Example Sentences