denial
Definitions
The action of declaring something to be untrue.
A psychological defense mechanism in which a person rejects or refuses to acknowledge a painful reality.
The refusal of a request or the withholding of something asked for.
Examples
He is still in denial about the severity of his illness.
The company issued a formal denial regarding the rumors of a merger.
Her flat denial of the accusations left everyone in the room feeling suspicious.
Synonyms
refusal rejection repudiation contradiction disavowal negation disclaimer
Antonyms
acceptance admission acknowledgment affirmation confirmation concession approval