Dictionary
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
1
: refusal to satisfy a request or desire
2
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
3
: the opposing by the defendant of an allegation of the opposite party in a lawsuit
4
5
: negation in logic
6
: 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>
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First Known Use of DENIAL
1528
Related to DENIAL
- Synonyms
- declination, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown
IN DENIAL Defined for Kids
denial
noun de·ni·al \di-ˈnī-əl\
Definition of DENIAL for Kids
1
: a refusal to give or agree to something asked for <a denial of the request>
2
: a refusal to admit the truth of a statement <a denial of the accusation>
3
: a refusal to accept or believe in someone or something <He repeated his denial of the existence of ghosts.>
4
: 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
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Next Word in the Dictionary: denial of the antecedentPrevious Word in the Dictionary: deniableAll Words Near: denial
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