denial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of refusing to comply (as with a request)
    • it resulted in a complete denial of his privileges
  2. noun the act of asserting that something alleged is not true
    disaffirmation.
  3. noun (psychiatry) a defense mechanism that denies painful thoughts
  4. noun renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
    self-renunciation; abnegation; self-abnegation; self-denial.
  5. noun a defendant's answer or plea denying the truth of the charges against him
    demurrer; defense; defence.
    • he gave evidence for the defense

WordNet

De*ni"al noun
Etymology
See Deny.
Definitions
  1. The act of gainsaying, refusing, or disowning; negation; -- the contrary of affirmation.
    You ought to converse with so much sincerity that your bare affirmation or denial may be sufficient. Bp. Stillingfleet.
  2. A refusal to admit the truth of a statement, charge, imputation, etc.; assertion of the untruth of a thing stated or maintained; a contradiction.
  3. A refusal to grant; rejection of a request.
    The commissioners, . . . to obtain from the king's subjects as much as they would willingly give, . . . had not to complain of many peremptory denials. Hallam.
  4. A refusal to acknowledge; disclaimer of connection with; disavowal; -- the contrary of confession; as, the denial of a fault charged on one; a denial of God.

Webster 1913