denial
/dɪˈnaɪ.əl/ noun C1- An assertion of untruth. · The singer has issued a sweeping denial of all the rumors.
- The negation in logic. · The denial of "There might be X" is the null, "False, there is no X."
- A refusal or failure to provide or grant something that is requested or desired. · The denial of medical treatment to those who cannot afford to pay is scandalous.· I cannot understand the bank's denial of my loan application.
- Refusal to believe that a problem exists. · We couldn't break through his denial about being alcoholic.
- Refusal to admit responsibility for wrongdoing.
- Negationism, denialism of historical facts or accepted interpretation.
- A defense mechanism involving a refusal to accept the truth of a phenomenon or prospect. · He is in denial that he has a drinking problem.
- A disownment or disavowal
Plural denials
From the library
“I extremely dislike altering my habits, but the powers that be would take no denial.
“Fury said to a mouse, That he met in the house, ‘Let us both go to law: _I_ will prosecute _you_.—Come, I’ll take no denial; We must have a trial: For really this morning I’ve nothing to do.’ Said the mouse to the cur, ‘Such a trial, dear sir, With no jury or judge, would be wasting our breath.’ ‘I’ll be judge, I’ll be jury,’ Said cunning old Fury: ‘I’ll try the whole cause, and condemn you to death.’”
For we pay a price for everything we get or take in this world; and although ambitions are well worth having, they are not to be cheaply won, but exact their dues of work and self-denial, anxiety and discouragement.
But I am afraid you are giving it a turn which that gentleman did by no means intend; for he would certainly think the better of me if, under such a circumstance, I were to give a flat denial, and ride off as fast as I could.”
Learn denial in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.