English Dictionary

Definition of “denial

denial (dɪˈnaɪəlPronunciation for denial

Definitions

noun

  1. a refusal to agree or comply with a statement; contradiction
  2. the rejection of the truth of a proposition, doctrine, etc  ⇒ a denial of God's existence 
  3. a negative reply; rejection of a request
  4. a refusal to acknowledge; renunciation; disavowal  ⇒ a denial of one's leader 
  5. a psychological process by which painful truths are not admitted into an individual's consciousness See also defence mechanism
  6. abstinence; self-denial

Usage examples

  • She lifted up her white arms, and spread out her hands towards the East in a gesture of rejection and denial.
    J.R.R. Tolkien, THE LORD OF THE RINGS (2004)
  • This sort of attack, called distributed denial of service, causes a website to crash under the strain of demand.
    New Scientist (2003)
  • Mr. Boudria's spokesman Marc Roy would not discuss the reasons for denial of the request by the transport committee.
    Globe and Mail (2003)
  • Call for tougher legislation to combat menace Province'in denial ' over racist attacks By Gary Grattan ggrattan@belfasttelegraph.
    Belfast Telegraph (2004)
  • Simon's obsession was both an expression and a denial of his hate.
    Dorothy Rowe, BEYOND FEAR (2002)

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