Denial: meaning, definitions and examples

Situations where someone does not accept the truth or reality of a fact or situation.

• His denial of the evidence was surprising
• She was in denial about her addiction

When a person explicitly says no to a request or offer.

• His refusal to help was disappointing
• She received a refusal from the job she applied for

When someone or something is not accepted, often giving a feeling of being unwanted or not good enough; can have a negative connotation.

• He felt the sting of rejection when his proposal was turned down
• The book faced multiple rejections from publishers

When someone finds something hard to accept as true or is shocked by new information.

• She shook her head in disbelief
• His story was met with widespread disbelief

Denial is used when someone refuses to accept something as true or real, often despite evidence. It can be used in various contexts, including personal, psychological, and societal situations.

• His denial of the facts presented in court was surprising.
• She is in denial about her addiction problem.

Rejection occurs when someone or something is refused or turned down. It is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to indicate that something is not accepted.

• The company's rejection of the proposal left the employees disappointed.
• She faced rejection after applying to several universities.

Disavowal is used when someone formally denies responsibility or support for something, often something they were previously associated with. It tends to have an official or public connotation.

• The politician issued a disavowal of the controversial statement made by his campaign team.
• He voiced a strong disavowal of any involvement in the scandal.

Repudiation is used when someone refuses to acknowledge or accept something, often with strong negative implications. It can refer to dismissing authority, responsibility, or a relationship.

• The author's repudiation of his earlier works shocked his fans.
• The government's repudiation of the treaty led to international outrage.

Use 'denial' when someone refuses to accept the truth or a reality. This term often has a psychological or strong emotional connotation associated with it.

• His denial of the problem only made things worse.
• The patient's denial of their illness prevented them from seeking treatment.

Use 'refusal' when someone is not willing to do something or accept something. It often carries a straightforward and firm sense of not agreeing or complying.

• She faced his refusal to help with the project.
• The refusal to follow the rules resulted in a penalty.

Use 'rejection' when something or someone is not accepted, often in a social or professional context. It usually carries a strong emotional impact and can have a negative connotation.

• The artist was saddened by the rejection of her work.
• His application for the loan faced rejection due to poor credit history.

Use 'declination' in a more formal or technical setting, particularly when talking about a polite refusal or the act of declining formally.

• The committee noted her declination of the job offer.
• We received his declination to attend the gala.