denials
denials — noun
- denialssingular
- denialsesplural
1. words you say or write to tell people that something claimed about you is false.
words you say or write to tell people that something claimed about you is false.
The company issued a strong denial of the newspaper's report about its financial problems.
issue a denial of + report/claim/allegation
Sophia's denial that she had taken the document surprised everyone in the meeting.
possession + denial + that-clause
Despite Gabriel's firm denial, the email records proved he was involved in the project.
The minister's denial of the allegations was broadcast on every television station that evening.
Takeshi wrote a formal denial and sent copies to every newspaper that had printed the story.
- refutation
more formal and technical; implies proving something is wrong with evidence
- rebuttal
formal; used in legal and debate contexts where a counter-argument is offered
- contradiction
focuses on saying the opposite, not necessarily with a formal statement
- admission
accepting that a claim is true
- confirmation
a statement that something is true
文法句型
denial + that-clause
denial of + noun
用法筆記
This is the most common meaning of 'denial'. The person making the denial is responding to an accusation or claim made by someone else. Frequently used with verbs like 'issue', 'release', 'publish', and 'make'.
常見錯誤
2. a statement in which someone says they did not do a particular thing that they a
a statement in which someone says they did not do a particular thing that they are accused of doing.
Paloma's father could not accept her denial of breaking the window with the football.
denial of + gerund phrase
The suspect's denial of stealing the car was not believed by the police officers.
Emre's repeated denials that he had cheated on the test only made the teacher more suspicious.
Despite Sahil's strong denial of pushing the other boy, the playground cameras showed what happened.
Mira stuck to her denial of taking the money even when the manager asked her directly about it.
- disavowal
more formal; implies refusing to take responsibility or admit connection
- disclaimer
often a written statement made publicly to deny responsibility
- confession
admitting that one did something
- admission
accepting that one performed an action
文法句型
denial + that-clause
denial of + gerund phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 denies a claim or statement ('that is not true'), while sense 2 denies performing a specific action ('I did not do that'). The object of the denial is usually a gerund phrase describing the action.
常見錯誤
3. an official decision not to allow someone to have or do something they have aske
an official decision not to allow someone to have or do something they have asked for.
The government's denial of the building permit forced the company to change its plans completely.
denial of + permit/license/visa
Antonia's application for a student visa was met with a brief denial from the embassy.
The committee's denial of research funding meant the project had to stop after just two months.
Amihan faced a denial of entry at the airport because her travel documents were not in order.
The bank's denial of Darius's loan request meant he could not buy the small house he wanted.
文法句型
denial of + permission/request/application
用法筆記
Frequently used in official or bureaucratic contexts (visas, permits, funding, requests). Often describes a formal written decision from an authority or institution. Can be countable ('a denial') or uncountable ('faced denial').
常見錯誤
4. a mental state in which a person refuses to accept or believe something unpleasa
a mental state in which a person refuses to accept or believe something unpleasant or painful that is clearly true.
Doctors say that denial is a common first reaction when a patient learns about a serious illness.
denial as a psychological defense mechanism
Even after the test results came back, Eshe remained in denial about her gradual hearing loss.
in denial about + noun phrase
The widow's denial of her husband's death was so strong that she kept setting a plate for him at dinner.
The family lived in denial for months, refusing to accept that their business was slowly failing.
Psychologists describe denial as a coping mechanism that protects the mind from unbearable information.
- self-deception
the act of lying to oneself; implies more active effort to believe the false version
- avoidance
broader term for staying away from unpleasant thoughts or situations
- acceptance
coming to terms with reality
- acknowledgment
admitting that something is true
文法句型
in denial about + noun
in denial about + wh-clause
用法筆記
Commonly used in psychology but also in everyday conversation. The fixed phrase 'in denial' is the most frequent form. Unlike senses 1-3, this sense is often uncountable and describes an ongoing emotional state rather than a single statement or decision.
常見錯誤
5. the act of doing something that conflicts with your own moral standards, ideals,
the act of doing something that conflicts with your own moral standards, ideals, or sense of right and wrong.
The journalist's denial of his principles meant writing stories he knew were completely false.
denial of + principles/beliefs/values
The senator's vote was a denial of the promises he had made during the election campaign.
The young doctor saw her job at the tobacco company as a denial of everything she believed in.
The painter could not accept the denial of her artistic vision that the client's demands required.
- betrayal
stronger emotional charge; implies disloyalty to a person or cause
- abandonment
giving up principles entirely, not just acting against them temporarily
- renunciation
formal; implies a conscious act of giving up or rejecting
- adherence
staying true to one's principles or beliefs
- allegiance
loyalty or commitment to a cause or set of values
文法句型
denial of + principles/beliefs/values/self
用法筆記
Always describes an action in conflict with one's stated beliefs. Often carries a moral or ethical judgment — the person 'denying' their principles is seen as compromising their integrity. The object of the denial is always an abstract value (principles, beliefs, self, conscience, ideals).
常見錯誤
6. the practice of not allowing yourself to have or enjoy things that you want, oft
the practice of not allowing yourself to have or enjoy things that you want, often for moral, spiritual, or health reasons.
The monk's life of denial included giving up all personal possessions and luxuries.
life of denial
During the war, strict denial of comforts became necessary as food and fuel grew scarce.
denial of + comforts/pleasures/desires
The doctor recommended a temporary denial of alcohol to help improve his patient's liver function.
The athlete's strict denial of sugar and processed foods helped her prepare for the Olympic games.
- self-denial
more common term for this exact meaning; 'denial' alone is a shorter form
- abstinence
choosing not to do or have something, especially alcohol or sex
- moderation
less extreme than denial; reducing rather than eliminating
- indulgence
allowing yourself to have or do what you want
- self-gratification
pleasing yourself without restraint
文法句型
denial of + noun phrase (specific pleasure/comfort)
life of denial
用法筆記
Unlike sense 5, which focuses on betraying moral beliefs, this sense focuses on voluntarily giving up physical pleasures or material comforts. Often associated with religious practice, asceticism, dieting, and disciplined training. Typically uncountable.