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

The result is a form of denial-of-service attack on commercial AI models. — Edd Gent, IEEE Spectrum, 8 July 2026

The department initially sought five more days to respond to a May 21 request on May 21, followed by a May 27 denial because the case was still under investigation. — Dennis Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 8 July 2026

Yesterday’s denial means Pitman’s injunction cannot be enforced while litigation between Texas and groups challenging the law proceeds in the 5th Circuit appeals court, which has scheduled oral arguments for August 4. — Jon Brodkin, ArsTechnica, 7 July 2026

Her father Jean-Marie, convicted multiple times of violating France’s law prohibiting Holocaust denial and of hate speech, was synonymous with the far-right nationalist party. — Melissa Bell, CNN Money, 7 July 2026