denial

de-ni-al · noun

imported

Definitions

noun

  1. 1.

    A statement that something is not true or does not exist.

  2. 2.

    The refusal to grant something requested or desired.

  3. 3.

    A psychological defense mechanism involving refusal to accept reality.

  4. 4.

    The act of disowning or disavowing.

Related words

Antonyms: acceptance, acknowledgment, admission
See also: deny, refuse, rejection
Synonyms: negation, refusal, rejection, repudiation

Etymology

From Old French denier (to deny), from Latin denegare, from de- (away) + negare (to refuse, say no). The noun form developed in English in the 15th century.