denial

noun de·ni·al \di-ˈnī(-ə)l, dē-\

: a statement saying that something is not true or real : a statement in which someone denies something

psychology : a condition in which someone will not admit that something sad, painful, etc., is true or real

: the act of not allowing someone to have something

Full Definition of DENIAL

: refusal to satisfy a request or desire

a (1) : refusal to admit the truth or reality (as of a statement or charge) (2) : assertion that an allegation is false

b : refusal to acknowledge a person or a thing : disavowal

: the opposing by the defendant of an allegation of the opposite party in a lawsuit

: self-denial

: negation in logic

: a psychological defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality

— in denial

: refusing to admit the truth or reality of something unpleasant <a patient in denial about his health problems>

See denial defined for English-language learners

See denial defined for kids

First Known Use of DENIAL

1528

Related to DENIAL

Synonyms: declination, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown

Antonyms: allowance, approval, grant, OK (or okay)

Rhymes with DENIAL

abseil, air mile, bass viol, black bile, Blue Nile, decile, erstwhile, exile, Fair Isle, field trial, gentile, high style, hostile, lifestyle, meanwhile, motile, nail file, New Style, old style, Old Style, on file, profile, redial, reptile, show trial, stockpile, time trial

DENIAL Defined for Kids

denial

noun de·ni·al \di-ˈnī-əl\

Definition of DENIAL for Kids

: a refusal to give or agree to something asked for <a denial of the request>

: a refusal to admit the truth of a statement <a denial of the accusation>

: a refusal to accept or believe in someone or something <He repeated his denial of the existence of ghosts.>

: a cutting down or limiting <a denial of his appetite>

Medical Dictionary

denial

noun de·ni·al \di-ˈnī(-ə)l\

Medical Definition of DENIAL

: a psychological defense mechanism in which confrontation with a personal problem or with reality is avoided by denying the existence of the problem or reality