negation

noun

ne·​ga·​tion ni-ˈgā-shən 

1

a

: the action or logical operation of negating or making negative

b

: a negative statement, judgment, or doctrine

especially : a logical proposition formed by asserting the falsity of a given proposition see Truth Table

2

a

: something that is the absence of something actual : nonentity

b

: something considered the opposite of something regarded as positive

negational

ni-ˈgā-sh(ə-)nəl 

adjective

Synonyms

• contradiction
• denegation
• denial
• disallowance
• disavowal
• disclaimer
• disconfirmation
• rejection
• repudiation

Examples of negation in a Sentence

issued specific negations of all of the charges against her

a ruling by the Supreme Court that many regarded as a negation of the basic right of privacy

Recent Examples on the Web

Twenty years after the film’s release, America not only accepts cancelling the political rule book, but Rock himself takes part in that negation. —Armond White, National Review, 23 Oct. 2024

Worse still, if the negation of the axiom of choice were true, there wouldn’t just be a few (very contrived) examples of sets that can’t be measured—the whole theory of measurement would collapse! —Manon Bischoff, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2024

Practical and technical negations aside, there is also a political dimension to this that is likely to complicate negations. —Luke McGee, CNN, 25 June 2024

Archetypes are the refined cousins of stereotypes, the problem of stereotypes being their negation of complexity. —Michael Kimmage, Foreign Affairs, 25 Jan. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English negacioun "denial, negative assertion," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French negaciun, borrowed from Latin negātiōn-, negātiō "denial, refusal," from negāre "to deny, say no" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at negate

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

negation

noun

ne·​ga·​tion ni-ˈgā-shən 

1

a

: the action of negating : denial

b

: a negative statement

2

: something that is the opposite of something positive

death is the negation of life