Definitions

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.

Outwardly, she shows no signs of being devastated by her dad’s imminent passing, happily playing with him, almost in denial of his fate.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

A consular denial, meanwhile, is almost impossible to contest.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

A swift denial was issued in a joint statement by Haaland's father and agent, before City rubbished the suggestion.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

As my colleague Mary O’Grady quipped at the time, denial ain’t just a river in Mexico.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 3, 2026

She sank further into denial, losing her grip on reality.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

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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