definition of deny
A denial is a refusal, and often means a refusal to believe or accept something as the truth. When asked if he ate the powdered doughnut, he gave a flat denial. Since his face was covered with powdered sugar, the denial was ludicrous.. To be in denial is to be fooling yourself about the reality of your situation. If you stay up late watching TV on the eve of your AP Biology final, you are probably in denial about your lack of preparation for the test.
1. to state that (something declared) is not true: to deny an accusation. 2. to refuse to agree or accede to: to deny a petition. 3. to withhold the possession, use, or enjoyment of: to deny access to information. 4. to withhold something from, or refuse to grant a request of: to deny a beggar.