deny oneself

idiom

: to not allow oneself to enjoy things or to have the things one wants
On this diet, I don't feel like I'm denying myself.
I'm not denying myself the foods that I love, I'm just eating smaller amounts.
He's always denied himself the simple pleasures in life.

Examples of deny oneself in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Contradiction was merely authentic self-expression, the mark of living fully and refusing to deny oneself. The New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2021

Dictionary Entries Near deny oneself

Cite this Entry

“Deny oneself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deny%20oneself. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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