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.

“Every day seems to bring another cease-fire rumor, another missile headline, another draft memorandum, another denial, and another market reversal.”

From MarketWatch • May 29, 2026

When local media in Bangladesh followed up, the U.S. embassy issued a denial.

From Salon • May 29, 2026

Adam Hussein, a 35-year-old representative for Mongbwalu's traditional faith healers, fretted about Ebola denial and called on everyone to take precautions.

From Barron's • May 24, 2026

"RTÉ remains deeply concerned by the targeted killing of journalists in Gaza during the conflict and the continued denial of access to international journalists to the territory," it added.

From BBC • May 15, 2026

Madu would not be in denial about a town that was about to fall, certainly not a town where Kainene lived.

From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

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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