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

Its roles include anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface operations, intelligence gathering, special operations support and sea denial. — Atharva Gosavi, Interesting Engineering, 11 Aug. 2026

While the granting or denial of a stay might sound like legal jargon, there are real-world implications at stake. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 11 Aug. 2026

His wife, Martha, planned to go back to immigration court to appeal a denial to adjust her status, Mendez Johnson said. — Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2026

That won’t help, and pretending otherwise is its own kind of denial. — Frances Mei Hardin, STAT, 7 Aug. 2026