denial

[dih-nahy-uhl] / dɪˈnaɪ əl /

NOUN

dismissal, refusal of belief in

Synonyms

STRONGEST

disapproval rebuttal rejection repudiation retraction veto

STRONG

adjuration brush-off contradiction declination disavowal disclaimer disproof dissent forswearing nay negation negative nix nonacceptance prohibition protestation rebuff refutal refutation renouncement renunciation repulse turndown

WEAK

abstaining cold shoulder controversion disallowance dismissing gainsaying noncommittal refraining refusing rejecting renegement repudiating statement abnegation

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allowance approval confirmation ratification sanction

STRONG

agreement permission

WEAK

affirmation avowal claim corroboration vouching

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It does not say that denial must be intentional in the narrow sense the court now prefers.

From Slate • May 8, 2026

Ms. Nović’s trajectory from denial to pride in her identity as a member of the deaf community is moving and compelling.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

The island nation's denial to disembark came even as WHO Europe said the risk to the wider public remained low.

From Barron's • May 4, 2026

"I think in the back of Mummy's head, she knew, but she was in great denial," Michelle says.

From BBC • May 2, 2026

Was it possible that I was, in the modern term, in denial?

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Vocabulary lists containing denial

Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka (1954)

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Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

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Game Changer

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