de·ni·al 
/dɪˈnajəl/ noun
plural de·ni·als /dɪˈnajəl/ noun 1 [count] : a statement saying that something is not true or real : a statement in which someone denies something
▪ She issued a flat/absolute/outright denial of the charges made against her. ▪ The accusations have met with angry denials from school officials. ▪ The city government has been heavily criticized for its denial of the seriousness of the situation. ▪ her denial of responsibility 2 [noncount] psychology : a condition in which someone will not admit that something sad, painful, etc., is true or real
▪ I think she's still in a state of denial about her husband's death. [=she still has not fully accepted that her husband is dead] — often used in the phrase in denial ▪ He's in denial about his drinking problem. [=he will not admit that he drinks too much alcohol] 3 : the act of not allowing someone to have something [noncount] ▪ The hardest part of the punishment was the denial of his right to see his children. ▪ The group is protesting the denial of voting rights to convicted felons. ▪ The lawyers were disappointed by the court's denial of their motion to dismiss the case. [count] — usually singular ▪ Making false statements on a job application will result in a denial of employment. ▪ The court has issued a denial of their motion. — see also self-denial
▪ She issued a flat/absolute/outright denial of the charges made against her. ▪ The accusations have met with angry denials from school officials. ▪ The city government has been heavily criticized for its denial of the seriousness of the situation. ▪ her denial of responsibility
▪ I think she's still in a state of denial about her husband's death. [=she still has not fully accepted that her husband is dead] — often used in the phrase in denial ▪ He's in denial about his drinking problem. [=he will not admit that he drinks too much alcohol]
