Denials
/dɪˈnaɪəlz/
nounB2plural
Definition
Denials are when a person says that something is not true or refuses to accept or admit something. People use denials to reject ideas, accusations, or requests. It is the opposite of accepting or agreeing.
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See It in Action
Statements rejecting a fact or truth
- •His denials of the accusations were clear and strong.
- •The politician’s denials did not convince the public.
- •She gave several denials when asked about the missing money.
Refusals to accept or admit something
- •The company issued denials about the product’s safety problems.
- •There were many denials when people were asked to cooperate.
- •His denials of responsibility made the situation worse.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "denials" like "no" or "not true," but used in a stronger or more formal way—when someone clearly says something is false or refuses.
- ✓Picture someone shaking their head and saying "No, that did not happen" to refuse or reject.
- ✓It’s the feeling when you hear someone say "I didn’t do it" to protect themselves or avoid blame.
- ✓Sounds like "deny" + "als" → imagine someone saying "deny" many times to refuse or reject several things.
- ✓Think of a courtroom where a person denies the charges against them, saying "I am not guilty."
- ✓NOT like "agree" (accepting something), denials mean the opposite—refusing or saying no.
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (pretending not to see), denials actively say something is not true or refused.
- ✓NOT like "excuse" (giving a reason), denials simply say no or not true without explaining.
Try Other Words
- •Refusals: saying no or not agreeing (Use when focusing on rejecting requests or offers)
- •Rejections: refusing or not accepting something (Use when rejecting ideas, offers, or claims)
- •Disagreements: not agreeing with a statement or opinion (Use when the refusal is about opinions or beliefs)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "de-" (a prefix meaning "do the opposite") + "nial" from "deny" + plural suffix "-s"
- •Etymology: From Latin "denegare," meaning to say no or refuse
- •Historical development: The word "deny" has been used since the 14th century to mean refusing or saying something is not true; "denial" came later to name this action or statement
- •Modern usage: Used in law, everyday speech, and writing to describe when someone refuses or says something is not true
Reflect & Connect
•Why do people sometimes make denials even when the truth is clear?
•How do denials affect communication and trust between people?
Fill in the blanks
1.His denials of the mistake made it ___ to find out what really happened.
2.When faced with evidence, her denials became ___ and less believable.
3.Denials often come ___ when someone feels accused or blamed.
4.Unlike agreeing, denials show a clear ___ of a fact or statement.
5.The politician’s repeated denials did not ___ the public’s doubts.
6.People sometimes use denials to ___ responsibility for their actions.
7.The company issued denials ___ the safety problems reported by customers.