denialism

noun

de·​ni·​al·​ism di-ˈnī(-ə)l-ˌi-zəm 

dē-

: the practice of denying the existence, truth, or validity of something despite proof or strong evidence that it is real, true, or valid

This depressing tale is the latest incarnation of denialism, the systematic rejection of a body of science in favour of make-believe.

—Debora MacKenzie

He [Henry Puna] said climate change denialism jeopardised the future of Pacific countries: "Some are not willing to accept the stark realities."

—Ben Doherty

The problem of vaccine denialism is closely tied to the problem of information and authority in the digital age. People prone to skepticism can cover themselves with layers of pseudo-science and conspiracy theories that thicken and harden like papier mache.

—Michael Gerson

Getting accurate information across in the face of this science denialism is something of a minefield, as there is evidence that attempts to correct misinformation may backfire, further entrenching the beliefs of science deniers instead.

—Cathleen O'Grady

Examples of denialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

What used to be fringe denialism has evolved into a sophisticated, and increasingly profitable, campaign to discredit science, undermine regulation, and politicize sustainability. —Felicia Jackson, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025

The questions swirling around this tragedy—about National Weather Service staffing, financing for flood-warning systems, evacuation reaction times, climate-change denialism—are a search for culpability. —Erin Neil, New Yorker, 8 July 2025

By any measure, climate denialism is a poor way to duck culpability for humanity’s environmental messes. —Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 11 June 2025

Would the history department need to add a specialist in Holocaust denialism? —Michael T. Nietzel, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

denial + -ism

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for denialism

• activism
• ageism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism