French word

dénégation

Pronunciation

IPA/denegasjɔ̃/

Meaning

  • feminine noundenial

Example

Le suspect a fait une dénégation devant le juge.

The suspect issued a denial before the judge.

Illustration for dénégation (denial)

More examples

Il a répété sa dénégation au téléphone.

He repeated his denial on the phone.

Core concept

A person firmly pushing away a stated fact or accusation instead of accepting it.

Common phrases

  • répéter sa dénégation

    repeat his denial

  • une dénégation brève

    a brief denial

Similar words

déni: Refusal to acknowledge reality or accepted facts.
mensonge: A deliberate statement that is contrary to the facts.

Definition in French

Acte par lequel une personne nie ou refuse de reconnaître la vérité d'un fait ou d'une accusation.

Word origin

French dénégation comes from Latin denegatio, formed from de- and negare, meaning 'to deny'.

Usage tips

  • Dénégation is formal and common in legal or news contexts, while everyday French more often uses nier.

Opposites

Related words

  • dénierdenyverb

Word lists with this word