26984 words

denial

8 definitions • 9 examples
1
a statement that something is not true or does not exist:

Examples:

issue a denial The CEO issued a denial of the report that she is about to resign.
[ + that ] Officials did not believe the runner's denial that he had taken drugs.
denial of His denial of responsibility for the accident was unconvincing.
2
a statement that someone has not done something
3
the fact of not allowing someone to do or have something:

Examples:

a denial of a gross denial of justice
4
an unwillingness to accept that something unpleasant is true:

Examples:

in denial He's still in denial about the break-up of his relationship.
5
the situation in which someone behaves in a way that goes against their beliefs and what they think is right:

Examples:

denial of If I did what you ask, it would be a denial of everything I stand for (= believe in).
6
a statement that something is not true:

Examples:

His statement is not a denial.
7
the act of not allowing someone to do or have something:

Examples:

8
a state in which someone will not admit that they have knowledge, responsibility, or feelings:

Examples:

He claims he’s not sick, but I think he’s just in denial.

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