Definition of denial Denial

/dɪnajˈʌl/ - [dinayul] - de•ni•al

We found 19 definitions of denial from 7 different sources.

What does denial mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: denials
denial - the act of refusing to comply (as with a request); "it resulted in a complete denial of his privileges"
		speech act the use of language to perform some act
		abnegation renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
		naysaying the act of saying no to a request
		negative a piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed
		refusal a message refusing to accept something that is offered
denial - the act of asserting that something alleged is not true
		disaffirmation
		asseveration, averment, assertion a declaration that is made emphatically (as if no supporting evidence were necessary)
denial - (psychiatry) a defense mechanism that denies painful thoughts
		defence mechanism, defence reaction, defense mechanism, defense reaction, defence, defense (psychiatry) an unconscious process that tries to reduce the anxiety associated with instinctive desires
denial - a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him; "he gave evidence for the defense"
		defense, defence, demurrer
		criminal prosecution, prosecution the institution and conduct of legal proceedings against a defendant for criminal behavior
		due process, due process of law (law) the administration of justice according to established rules and principles; based on the principle that a person cannot be deprived of life or liberty or property without appropriate legal procedures and safeguards
		trial (law) the determination of a person's innocence or guilt by due process of law; "he had a fair trial and the jury found him guilty"; "most of these complaints are settled before they go to trial"
		jurisprudence, law the branch of philosophy concerned with the law and the principles that lead courts to make the decisions they do
denial - renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
		abnegation, self-abnegation, self-denial, self-renunciation
		self-sacrifice, selflessness acting with less concern for yourself than for the success of the joint activity
		forgoing, forswearing, renunciation the act of renouncing; sacrificing or giving up or surrendering (a possession or right or title or privilege etc.)

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Wiktionary

denial (Noun)
The negation in logic.
denial (Noun)
A refusal to comply with a request.
denial (Noun)
An assertion of untruth.
denial (Noun)
Refusal to believe a problem exists.
denial (Noun)
A defense mechanism involving a refusal to accept the truth of a phenomenon or prospect.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

denial (n.)
The act of gainsaying, refusing, or disowning; negation; -- the contrary of affirmation.
denial (n.)
A refusal to admit the truth of a statement, charge, imputation, etc.; assertion of the untruth of a thing stated or maintained; a contradiction.
denial (n.)
A refusal to grant; rejection of a request.
denial (n.)
A refusal to acknowledge; disclaimer of connection with; disavowal; -- the contrary of confession; as, the denial of a fault charged on one; a denial of God.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

denial
Refusal to believe a problem exists.
denial
An assertion of untruth.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

denial
de-nī′al, n. act of denying or saying no: contradiction: refusal: rejection.—adj. Denī′able, that may be denied.—n. Denī′er, one who denies

Wikipedia

Denial in psychology means that someone denies that something has happened or is happening although he really knows it is true. Usually this happens because admitting it would cause a lot of pain.

Denial is usually the first state of coping with loss. For example, if someone close to a person dies, the survivor's first feeling might be denial, or refusal to accept the fact that the person is really dead.