Denial — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /di-ˈnī(-ə)l/ de·ni·al

Meaning & Definition of Denial

Denial (noun)

  1. refusal to satisfy a request or desire
  2. refusal to admit the truth or reality of something (such as a statement or charge)
  3. assertion that an allegation is false

Denial (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an unwillingness to grant something asked for

    "our supervisor's denial of unpaid personal leave got mixed reactions from the staff"

    similar: declination, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown
    related: rebuff, repudiation, repulse, spurn, negative, ban, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression
    opposite: allowance, approval, grant, OK
    near: acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, leave, license, permission, sanction, sufferance, imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp

  2. a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement

    "the senator issued a flat denial of the accusation against her"

    similar: contradiction, denegation, disallowance, disavowal, disclaimer, disconfirmation, negation, rejection, repudiation
    related: disproof, rebuttal, refutation, negative
    opposite: acknowledgment, admission, avowal, confirmation
    near: concession, confession, affirmation, assertion, declaration, attestation, corroboration, documentation, substantiation, testament, testimony, validation

Related Entry: Self-denial (noun)

Self-denial is a different word from Denial. The synonyms below are for self-denial, not for denial.

  1. the act or practice of giving up or rejecting something once enjoyed or desired

    "dieting is an endless exercise in self-denial"

    similar: abnegation, renouncement, renunciation, repudiation
    related: denial, refusal, relinquishment, resignation, surrender, self-abnegation, self-renunciation
    opposite: indulgence, self-indulgence
    near: acceptance, adoption, embrace, embracement, espousal

  2. voluntary restraint in the satisfaction of one's appetites

    "self-indulgent even when she was poor, she wasn't about to practice self-denial after getting rich"

    similar: abstinence, continence, self-abnegation, sobriety, temperance
    related: control, forbearance, restraint, discipline, self-command, self-control, self-discipline, self-mastery, asceticism, austerity
    opposite: self-indulgence
    near: gluttony, greed, rapaciousness, rapacity, voraciousness, voracity, hedonism, sensuality, sybaritism

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Denial

The most common words with a similar meaning to Denial:

declination, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown, contradiction, denegation, disavowal, disclaimer, disconfirmation, negation, repudiation

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Denial

Words with the opposite meaning of Denial:

allowance, approval, grant, OK, acknowledgment, admission, avowal, confirmation

Related Words for Denial

rebuff, repulse, spurn, negative, ban, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression, disproof, rebuttal, refutation

Near Antonyms of Denial

acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, leave, license, permission, sanction, sufferance, imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp, concession, confession, affirmation, assertion, declaration, attestation, corroboration, documentation, substantiation, testament, testimony, validation

Origin & Etymology of Denial

deny + -al:2

First known use: 1528

Words & Phrases Containing Denial

climate change denial, distributed denial of service, in denial, self-denial, in a state of denial

Frequently Asked Questions about Denial

What does "Denial" mean?

"Denial" means refusal to satisfy a request or desire. As a noun, it is defined as: refusal to satisfy a request or desire. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Denial"?

Other words for "Denial" include declination, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection and turndown. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Denial" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Denial"?

There are 29 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Denial". Common alternatives include declination, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown, contradiction and denegation.

What is the opposite of "Denial"?

Antonyms of "Denial" include allowance, approval, grant, OK, acknowledgment, admission, avowal and confirmation. Near antonyms include acceptance, accession, acquiescence and agreement.

How do you use "Denial" in a sentence?

Examples of "Denial" in a sentence: "our supervisor's denial of unpaid personal leave got mixed reactions from the staff"; "the senator issued a flat denial of the accusation against her".

Is "Denial" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Denial" is a noun.

How do you pronounce "Denial"?

"Denial" is pronounced /di-ˈnī(-ə)l/ and divided into syllables as de·ni·al.

What is the origin of the word "Denial"?

"Denial" comes from deny + -al:2. First known use: 1528.