Words / B2

di-NEYE-uh-l/dɪˈnaɪəl/

Denial is saying something is not true, or refusing to accept a fact: issue a denial; in denial. Deny is the verb (already in the dictionary). Refusal is closer to not giving something. The trust’s denial collapsed when emails appeared. Do not mix with denim.

Meaning

A statement that something is not true; also a refusal to accept a fact.

Examples

• “The trust’s denial collapsed when the emails were disclosed.”
• “He is in denial about the grade, which is the psychology sense.”

Good to know

a flat / categorical denial; in denial; denial of service (IT). Verb: deny. Close: refusal (of a request). News and mental-health writing. Two senses.

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