de ‧ ni ‧ al AC /dɪˈnaɪəl/ BrE AmE noun
[ Word Family: verb : ↑ deny ; noun : ↑ denial ; adverb : ↑ undeniably ; adjective : ↑ undeniable ]
1 . [uncountable and countable] a statement saying that something is not true ⇨ deny
denial of
The government issued an official denial of the rumour.
denial that
denials that border security had not been strict enough
2 . [uncountable] when someone refuses to allow someone else to have or to do something
denial of
protests against the denial of human rights
3 . [uncountable] a condition in which you refuse to admit or believe that something bad exists or has happened
in denial
His girlfriend is in denial, and refuses to admit that he will soon die.
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ adjectives
▪ a strong denial
When the accusation was made, it met with a strong denial.
▪ a vehement/vigorous denial (=very strong)
The report led to vehement denials from the minister involved.
▪ a categorical denial (=saying very definitely that something is not true)
Her categorical denial conflicted with the evidence.
▪ an angry denial
There were angry denials of corruption in the police force.
▪ an official denial
The Army has consistently issued official denials of involvement.
▪ a public denial
He refused to make any public denial.
■ verbs
▪ issue a denial (=deny something publicly or officially)
Immediately the government issued a denial of the rumours.
▪ make a denial (=deny something)
He made no public denial of the allegations against him.