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
The survey, which included responses from nearly 4,600 adults ages 19 to 64, looked at both prior authorization denials (before care) and claim denials (after care).
—
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 5 June 2026
This is followed by the sun’s square to Neptune, creating confusion between hope and denial — your wellness routines and work to-dos are no exception.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
High debt-to-income ratios cause 35% of denials The Fed research cited buyers' debt-to-income ratio as the primary reason for a rejection in 35% of mortgage denials in 2024, up from 29% in 2018.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 4 June 2026
The city council voted 5-2 Tuesday to overturn the planning commission’s denial of rezoning the land from a commercial neighborhood center district to a residential district.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 3, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for denial
O. Rose Broderick, STAT, 5 June 2026
This is followed by the sun’s square to Neptune, creating confusion between hope and denial — your wellness routines and work to-dos are no exception.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 4 June 2026
High debt-to-income ratios cause 35% of denials The Fed research cited buyers' debt-to-income ratio as the primary reason for a rejection in 35% of mortgage denials in 2024, up from 29% in 2018.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 4 June 2026
The city council voted 5-2 Tuesday to overturn the planning commission’s denial of rezoning the land from a commercial neighborhood center district to a residential district.
—Kendrick Calfee
june 3, Kansas City Star, 3 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for denial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denial
Noun
-
How else to explain such relentlessness, such a refusal to stop even when most everyone would quit?—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
14 June 2026
-
The attack was a result of the refusal of the Zamfara state government to negotiate with the gunmen, Sanusi Dosara, chairman of the Maradun local government, said in a statement.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
13 June 2026
Noun
-
Rather than dwell on the rejection, the two quickly shift gears and discuss 10 Petal's upcoming 190th anniversary celebration.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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The popularity of social media — where everyone posts their personal business online — has turned rejection into a public spectacle, beyond your friend group, school, community or neighborhood.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Denial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denial. Accessed 15 Jun. 2026.
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