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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of denial
Snyder’s appeal makes a motion for new trial on his charge of obstructing the IRS and challenges the denial of his motion for acquittal and the denial of a motion for leave to file a motion for a new trial for obstructing the IRS, according to the two-page notice of appeal.
—
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The many Republican denials notwithstanding, something unusual is surely happening in Florida.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Applicants who are unlucky in the caseworker they are assigned are less likely to provide all the relevant information, leading to a denial.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Yet if the denial of a driver’s license is based on such arbitrary factors as a victim’s advocacy, or a defendant’s remorse, or public opinion, or the whims of state bureaucrats, the results are inconsistent.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for denial
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
The many Republican denials notwithstanding, something unusual is surely happening in Florida.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 25 Mar. 2026
Applicants who are unlucky in the caseworker they are assigned are less likely to provide all the relevant information, leading to a denial.
—Claudia Strauss, The Conversation, 25 Mar. 2026
Yet if the denial of a driver’s license is based on such arbitrary factors as a victim’s advocacy, or a defendant’s remorse, or public opinion, or the whims of state bureaucrats, the results are inconsistent.
—Rachel Swan, San Francisco Chronicle, 25 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for denial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denial
Noun
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Woods was arrested and charged with DUI, property damage and refusal to submit to a lawful test, Budensiek said.—
Melissa Gaffney,
CBS News,
28 Mar. 2026
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No, the lines at Logan so far have not been bad, or not nearly as bad as airports elsewhere, which are all due to the stubborn Democrat refusal to fund the Department of Homeland Security.—
Peter Lucas,
Boston Herald,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The lawsuit follows the board’s rejection of the foundation’s application, citing a state Supreme Court ruling that came after the board rejected the foundation's application.—
KOKH Staff,
Baltimore Sun,
27 Mar. 2026
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Looks-maxxing has been described as a nihilistic rejection of society’s values.—
Spencer Kornhaber,
The Atlantic,
27 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Denial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denial. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.
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