How to say "denial" in Japanese

• 否定ひていJLPT N3approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbThe general word for denial: declaring a statement, claim, or possibility untrue, or rejecting an idea; also covers logical and grammatical negation. The default choice for most senses of 'denial'.
  そのニュースが彼女かのじょに大おおきなショックを与あたえた事ことは否定ひていしようもない。↗

  It is not to be denied but that the news was a great shock to her.
• 拒否きょひJLPT N1approx.Common
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDenial in the sense of refusal or rejection: refusing to accept, grant, or approve something, as in a denied request or a veto. Not the word for declaring a fact untrue.
  私はその質問しつもんに答こたえることを拒否きょひする。↗

  I refuse to answer the question.
• 否認ひにんCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbDenial of an accusation or allegation: declaring a charge or claim untrue, especially one's supposed involvement or guilt; typical of news reports of suspects denying charges.
  彼かれはその事故じこと関係かんけいしていたことを否認ひにんした。↗

  He denied having been involved in the affair.
• 打ち消しうちけしJLPT N1approx.Common
  nounMainly the grammatical term for negation — the negative of a sentence or expression — rather than a way to say 'denial'; as 'denial' it is marginal, seldom the word you want outside talk about negation.
• 抹殺まっさつCommon
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbReally means erasing or obliterating something; as 'denial' it covers only dismissing or ignoring an opinion as if it did not exist, so it is seldom the word you want for denial proper.
  なぜその政治家せいじかは大多数だいたすうの意見いけんを抹殺まっさつしようとするのか。↗

  Why is the politician trying to kill off the opinions of the majority?

Use 否定 for denying facts or statements in general, 否認 for denying accusations, 拒否 for denial as refusal or rejection, while 「打ち消し」 is mainly grammatical negation and 抹殺 means dismissing or erasing an opinion.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 否定ひていdenial
• 拒否きょひrefusal
• 否認ひにんdenial
• 打ち消しうちけしnegation
• 拒否処分きょひしょぶん(judicial) denial
• 抹殺まっさつdenial