denial Hear it!

denial definition

de·nial (dē nīəl, di-)

noun

  1. the act of denying; a saying “no” (to a request, demand, etc.)
  2. a statement in opposition to another; contradiction the denial of a rumor
  3. the act of disowning; repudiation the denial of one's family
  4. a refusal to believe or accept (a doctrine, etc.)
  5. Psychol. an unconscious thought process whereby one allays anxiety by refusing to acknowledge the existence of certain unpleasant aspects of external reality or of one's thoughts, feelings, etc.: now often in the phrase in denial
  6. self-denial
  7. Law the opposing by a defendant of a claim or charge against him or her

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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