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
• okay
• agreement
• consent
• permission
• sanction
• license
• authorization
• clearance
• assent
• leave
• acquiescence
• concurrence
• OK
• accession
• signature
• seal
• licence
• 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
• acknowledgement
• confession
• declaration
• concession
• affirmation
• assertion
• testimony
• avowal
• documentation
• validation
• testament
• corroboration
• substantiation
• attestation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of denial

Griffin sees optimism not as denial but as a filter that separates what matters from what’s merely alarming headlines. —Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025

The City Council was expected to rubber-stamp the Commission’s denial a week later, but the project was removed from the agenda after the developer withdrew the proposal. —Tammy Murga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Apr. 2025

Isaac recorded his second denial moments later on AJ Johnson’s drive to the hoop and then another steal off Vukcevic. —Jason Beede, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 Apr. 2025

The emotional impact of losing a job often mirrors the stages of grief, as outlined by Kubler-Ross: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. —Jack Kelly, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025