Synonyms of denial

denial

noun

di-ˈnī(-ə)l 

1

as in refusal

an unwillingness to grant something asked for

our supervisor's denial of unpaid personal leave got mixed reactions from the staff

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refusal
• rejection
• nonacceptance
• no
• disallowance
• declination
• injunction
• nay
• repudiation
• suppression
• turndown
• rebuff
• veto
• repression
• repulse
• discouragement
• ban
• deterrence
• spurn
• negative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approval
• grant
• allowance
• acceptance
• agreement
• consent
• permission
• sanction
• license
• authorization
• clearance
• assent
• leave
• acquiescence
• concurrence
• OK
• accession
• signature
• seal
• stamp
• sufferance
• imprimatur

2

as in rejection

a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement

the senator issued a flat denial of the accusation against her

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rejection
• disavowal
• contradiction
• repudiation
• negation
• disallowance
• refutation
• disclaimer
• denegation
• rebuttal
• disconfirmation
• disproof
• negative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• confirmation
• admission
• acknowledgment
• confession
• declaration
• concession
• affirmation
• assertion
• testimony
• avowal
• documentation
• validation
• testament
• corroboration
• substantiation
• attestation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of denial

Military forces increasingly treat GPS denial as a serious battlefield problem. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Sep. 2026

And to me, that denial is one factor that contributes to the crimes persisting. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 10 Sep. 2026

By the film’s close, Hoffman said, Sally has moved past denial for good. — Lexy Perez, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026

After the shooting, the internet lit up with macabre stories of death, disfigurement, and disability wrought by claim denials—DJs in clubs even spun dance music with Luigi’s face flashing behind them. — Elizabeth Nicholas, Vanity Fair, 9 Sep. 2026