negation

noun

ne·​ga·​tion ni-ˈgā-shən 

1

a

: the action or logical operation of negating or making negative

b

: a negative statement, judgment, or doctrine

especially : a logical proposition formed by asserting the falsity of a given proposition see Truth Table

2

a

: something that is the absence of something actual : nonentity

b

: something considered the opposite of something regarded as positive

negational

ni-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• contradiction
• denegation
• denial
• disallowance
• disavowal
• disclaimer
• disconfirmation
• rejection
• repudiation

Examples of negation in a Sentence

issued specific negations of all of the charges against her

a ruling by the Supreme Court that many regarded as a negation of the basic right of privacy

Recent Examples on the Web

Maduro claimed victory, and his third consecutive term, despite the Democratic Unitary Platform’s (PUD) outright negation of the results. —Felipe Cardenas, The Athletic, 16 Jan. 2025

Isn’t that negation of our existence? —Longreads, 18 Dec. 2024

Worse still, if the negation of the axiom of choice were true, there wouldn’t just be a few (very contrived) examples of sets that can’t be measured—the whole theory of measurement would collapse! —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024

But Moscow is determined to thwart Montenegro’s bid, because any further NATO enlargement, regardless of how small the candidate might be, will be perceived by the Kremlin as a direct threat to Russian security and a negation of Russia's regional and global power status. —Edward P. Joseph, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2016

Word History

Etymology

Middle English negacioun "denial, negative assertion," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French negaciun, borrowed from Latin negātiōn-, negātiō "denial, refusal," from negāre "to deny, say no" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at negate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for negation

• ablation
• bination
• carnation
• cassation
• castration
• causation
• centration
• cessation
• cetacean
• chelation
• citation
• collation

Kids Definition

negation

noun

ne·​ga·​tion ni-ˈgā-shən 

1

a

: the action of negating : denial

b

: a negative statement

2

: something that is the opposite of something positive

death is the negation of life