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
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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
Despite the planning board's denial, the city council can still approve the rehabilitation designation.
—
Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The investigation focuses on potential violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and follows growing complaints from residents about delays, underpayments, and denials of legitimate wildfire claims.
—Pat Maio, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
For decades, the story of California housing reforms was one of delay and denial.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The day after her graduation, Aetna provided additional information to NBC News about the two denials.
—Ramon Taylor, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for denial
Ryan Hughes, CBS News, 8 Jan. 2026
The investigation focuses on potential violations of California’s Unfair Competition Law and follows growing complaints from residents about delays, underpayments, and denials of legitimate wildfire claims.
—Pat Maio, Daily News, 8 Jan. 2026
For decades, the story of California housing reforms was one of delay and denial.
—Sacramento Bee Staff, Sacbee.com, 8 Jan. 2026
The day after her graduation, Aetna provided additional information to NBC News about the two denials.
—Ramon Taylor, NBC news, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for denial
Recent Examples of Synonyms for denial
Noun
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According to Damien Routely, these include messy ownership of decisions and no reliable view of cash or delivery cadence, which indicate a weak and unclear leadership structure; the inability to properly articulate what the business actually is, and a refusal to listen and assimilate feedback.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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In an age when the phone has become our memory, map, diary, and most reliable distraction, Katrantzou has created a series of minaudières, part of the Bulgari Icons project, that offer a polite but pointed refusal.—
Tiziana Cardini,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When people perceive interpersonal threat, such as criticism, rejection or conflict, the brain’s stress circuits get activated, limiting access to the prefrontal regions involved in perspective-taking and flexible thinking.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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That’s more than can be said for some of Obama’s former furniture, which didn’t survive long enough to face rejection.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Denial.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/denial. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
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