English Synonyms for Denial and Defiance Vocabulary Words – Online Quiz!

abhorrence (noun) /æbˈhɔr əns/
Meaning: It represents a deep and profound aversion that arises from a moral or ethical standpoint.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to abhorrence?
Options: disgust; liking; fondness; affection
Answer: disgust
Synonyms: abomination; antipathy; aversion; detestation; disgust; execration; hatred; loathing; odium; repugnance; repulsion; revulsion
Example: "His abhorrence of cruelty led him to become an animal rights activist."

abjure (verb) /æbˈdʒʊər/
Meaning: The term is derived from the Latin word "abjurare," which means "to swear away.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to abjure?
Options: forsake; embrace; adopt; uphold
Answer: forsake
Synonyms: abandon; abnegate; disavow; disclaim; disown; forsake; recant; relinquish; renege; retract
Example: "She had to abjure her allegiance to the rival faction."

abnegate (verb) /ˈabnɪɡeɪt/
Meaning: It implies a conscious decision to deny oneself something that one may desire or need, in favor of something else.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to abnegate?
Options: renounce; embrace; claim; pursue
Answer: renounce
Synonyms: abandon; abdicate; abstain; concede; decline; deny; eschew; forgo; forsake; sacrifice
Example: "He chose to abnegate his desires for the sake of his family."

abstain (verb) /əbˈsteɪn/
Meaning: When someone abstains from something, they choose not to participate in it, often for reasons related to personal choice, principles, health, or moral beliefs.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to abstain?
Options: refrain; indulge; partake; engage
Answer: refrain
Synonyms: avoid; decline; desist; eschew; forbear; forgo; renounce; resist; shun; withhold
Example: "He chose to abstain from alcohol for his health."

apostate (noun) /əˈpɔsteɪt/
Meaning: Apostates are typically seen as having turned away from their former faith or allegiance, often in a dramatic or public way.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to apostate?
Options: defector; adherent; follower; loyalist
Answer: defector
Synonyms: defector; deserter; dissenter; dissident; heretic; pariah; rebel; renegade; traitor; turncoat
Example: "The religious community was shocked when he declared himself an apostate."

celibate (adjective) /ˈsɛlɪbət/
Meaning: Celibacy is often associated with religious or personal reasons, such as vows taken by clergy in some religious traditions to remain celibate as a commitment to their faith.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to celibate?
Options: chaste; promiscuous; indulgent; active
Answer: chaste
Synonyms: abstinent; chaste; continent; innocent; maiden; pure; single; unmarried; virgin; virginal
Example: "The celibate priest devoted his life to spiritual service."

decry (verb) /dɪˈkrʌɪ/
Meaning: It is characterized by a strong and vocal opposition to a particular idea, action or behavior and is often used as a verb in the form of public criticism.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to decry?
Options: condemn; praise; applaud; laud
Answer: condemn
Synonyms: condemn; denounce; disapprove; reproach; censure; criticize; deprecate; disparage; reject
Example: "Environmental activists decry the government's lax approach to pollution control."

demur (verb) /dɪˈməː/
Meaning: When someone demurs, they are indicating a reservation or reluctance to agree or comply with a particular idea, plan, or course of action.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to demur?
Options: object; agree; accept; consent
Answer: object
Synonyms: cavil; complain; disagree; dispute; object; protest; question; remonstrate; vacillate; waver
Example: "When asked to work overtime, John will likely demur."

deny (verb) /dɪˈnaɪ/
Meaning: It involves withholding approval, confirmation, permission, or access.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to deny?
Options: reject; admit; acknowledge; confirm
Answer: reject
Synonyms: contradict; decline; disclaim; efuse; gainsay; negate; rebut; reject; repudiate; withhold
Example: "The university may deny your application if you don't meet the requirements."

deprive (verb) /dɪˈpraɪv/
Meaning: When someone or something is deprived, they are left without a fundamental need, privilege, or possession, often resulting in hardship or disadvantage.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to deprive?
Options: withhold; provide; supply; give
Answer: withhold
Synonyms: bankrupt; bereave; defraud; denude; despoil; dispossess; divest; expropriate; impoverish
Example: "The harsh punishment might deprive him of his freedom."

detest (verb) /dɪˈtɛst/
Meaning: It denotes a deep and profound level of hatred or abhorrence.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to detest?
Options: loathe; adore; love; cherish
Answer: loathe
Synonyms: abhor; condemn; despise; disdain; hate; loathe; reject; repudiate; resent; revile; scorn; shun
Example: "I detest the way he treats his dog."

disaffirm (verb) /ˌdɪs əˈfɜrm/
Meaning: When an individual or party disaffirms a contract, they are formally declaring their refusal to uphold or acknowledge its validity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disaffirm?
Options: deny; confirm; affirm; validate
Answer: deny
Synonyms: abrogate; annul; cancel; deny; disavow; invalidate; negate; nullify; reject; renounce; repudiate; revoke
Example: "The company's legal team advised them to disaffirm the agreement due to potential breach of contract."

disavow (verb) /dɪsəˈvaʊ/
Meaning: When someone disavows something, they are explicitly rejecting or repudiating it, often to distance themselves from its consequences or implications.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disavow?
Options: deny; acknowledge; admit; avow
Answer: deny
Synonyms: abjure; contradict; deny; disallow; disclaim; disconfirm; disown; negate; rebut; refute; reject; renounce
Example: "The politician refused to disavow his controversial statement."

disclaim (verb) /dɪsˈkleɪm/
Meaning: When someone disclaims, they explicitly state that they have no connection, association, or responsibility for a particular statement, action, or belief.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disclaim?
Options: renounce; claim; accept; acknowledge
Answer: renounce
Synonyms: abnegate; deny; disaffirm; disallow; disavow; disown; negate; refute; reject; renounce; repudiate; waive
Example: "I disclaim any responsibility for his actions."

dismiss (verb) /dɪsˈmɪs/
Meaning: When someone dismisses a suggestion or viewpoint, they are essentially disregarding it without giving it thorough thought or consideration.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to dismiss?
Options: reject; accept; consider; entertain
Answer: reject
Synonyms: discard; discharge; disregard; eradicate; pooh-pooh; reject; remove; repudiate; terminate
Example: "The manager decided to dismiss the employee for repeated tardiness."

disregard (verb) /ˌdɪsrɪˈɡɑːd/
Meaning: It is the act of not considering or giving attention to something that is deemed as unimportant or insignificant.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to disregard?
Options: ignore; heed; regard; observe
Answer: ignore
Synonyms: abandon; discount; dismiss; forsake; ignore; neglect; omit; overlook; reject; shrug; slight; snub
Example: "Despite the warning signs, he chose to disregard them."

exclude (verb) /ɪkˈsklud/
Meaning: When you exclude someone, you intentionally keep them from being part of a certain set or category.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to exclude?
Options: omit; include; admit; incorporate
Answer: omit
Synonyms: ban; bar; blacklist; debar; disallow; eliminate; expel; forbid; omit; prohibit; reject
Example: "They often exclude me from their plans."

forsake (verb) /fəˈseɪk/
Meaning: When one "forsakes" something, they give it up completely, without any intention of returning or reclaiming it.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to forsake?
Options: abandon; keep; maintain; cherish
Answer: abandon
Synonyms: abdicate; desert; discard; disown; forgo; relinquish; repudiate; resign; spurn; surrender; yield
Example: "He couldn't forsake his lifelong dream of becoming an astronaut."

gag (verb) /gæg/
Meaning: It implies the stifling or silencing of someone's voice or opinion.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to gag?
Options: silence; articulate; express; speak
Answer: silence
Synonyms: choke; curb; inhibit; muffle; muzzle; restrain; retch; silence; smother; stifle; suffocate; suppress
Example: "The dictator's regime would gag anyone who dared to criticize the government."

heretic (noun) /ˈhɛrɪtɪk/
Meaning: This individual is often considered to be a threat to the authority and power of the religious or cultural institution, and their beliefs may be considered blasphemous or sacrilegious.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to heretic?
Options: dissenter; conformist; believer; orthodox
Answer: dissenter
Synonyms: agnostic; apostate; dissenter; dissident; freethinker; heresiarch; iconoclast; infidel; nonbeliever; nonconformist; renegade; schismatic
Example: "In medieval times, being labeled a heretic could lead to severe consequences."

misandrist (adjective) /mɪˈsandrɪst/
Meaning: It refers to someone who holds negative views, stereotypes, or prejudiced opinions about males, often resulting in a lack of trust, understanding, or respect for them.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to misandrist?
Options: man-hater; philandrist; misandry-accepting; misandry-tolerant
Answer: man-hater
Synonyms: antagonistic; antipathetic; aversive; biased; bigoted; chauvinistic; discriminatory; disdainful; misogynist; prejudiced
Example: "Despite her reputation as a misandrist, she surprisingly befriended a group of guys."

nihilism (noun) /ˈnʌɪ(h)ɪlɪz(ə)m/
Meaning: It suggests that moral and religious beliefs are unfounded and that life is ultimately meaningless.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to nihilism?
Options: negativism; existentialism; optimism; idealism
Answer: negativism
Synonyms: abnegation; atheism; cynicism; pessimism; rejection; renunciation; repudiation; skepticism
Example: "The novel’s theme of nihilism depicts a society where people have lost all sense of purpose."

omit (verb) /ə(ʊ)ˈmɪt/
Meaning: It can also mean to fail to include something or to neglect to do something.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to omit?
Options: exclude; include; incorporate; embrace
Answer: exclude
Synonyms: discard; dismiss; disregard; drop; eliminate; forget; ignore; miss; neglect; overlook; skip
Example: "She decided to omit the unnecessary details from her presentation."

persona-non-grata (noun) /pəˌsəʊnə nɒn ˈɡrɑːtə/
Meaning: "Persona non grata" is a Latin phrase that translates to "an unwelcome person" or "an unaccepted person.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to persona-non-grata?
Options: outcast; welcome; accepted; embraced
Answer: outcast
Synonyms: banned; blacklisted; disapproved; excluded; exile; objectionable; ostracized; outcast; pariah; rejected; shunned; unaccepted
Example: "The ambassador was declared persona non grata by the host country for his controversial remarks."

platitude (noun) /ˈplatɪtjuːd/
Meaning: A platitude is a statement or remark that is trite, commonplace, or unoriginal.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to platitude?
Options: cliché; profundity; originality; insight
Answer: cliché
Synonyms: banality; bromide; cliché; commonplace; conventionality; hackneyed; inanity; monotony; predictability; sameness; stereotype; tedium
Example: "His response was nothing but a tired platitude."

proscribe (verb) /proʊˈskraɪb/
Meaning: The term is often used to describe a formal ban or exclusion, particularly in the context of legal or political systems.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to proscribe?
Options: outlaw; permit; allow; authorize
Answer: outlaw
Synonyms: ban; bar; blackball; disallow; embargo; enjoin; interdict; ostracize; outlaw; veto
Example: "The government can proscribe certain types of speech."

rebuff (noun) /rɪˈbʌf/
Meaning: It can also refer to a dismissal or rejection of an idea or proposal.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to rebuff?
Options: rejection; welcome; accept; embrace
Answer: rejection
Synonyms: decline; denial; dismissal; refusal; rejection; repudiation; repulse; setback; snub; spurn
Example: "She received a cold rebuff to her job application."

rebut (verb) /rɪˈbʌt/
Meaning: It can also refer to the act of presenting counterarguments or objections in a debate or discussion.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to rebut?
Options: refute; agree; confirm; endorse
Answer: refute
Synonyms: challenge; confute; contest; contradict; counter; deny; disprove; dispute; invalidate; negate; oppose; quash
Example: "He presented his argument and waited for his opponent to rebut it."

rebuttal (noun) /rɪˈbʌtl/
Meaning: It is a response to a statement or position that is intended to show that the original claim is not true or is not well-supported.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to rebuttal?
Options: refutation; agreement; acceptance; concession
Answer: refutation
Synonyms: confutation; contradiction; counterargument; counterclaim; counterstatement; defeat; defense; denial; disproof; disputation; invalidation; negation
Example: "The lawyer's rebuttal effectively dismantled the prosecution's case."

refrain (verb) /rɪˈfreɪn/
Meaning: When someone refrains from something, they consciously choose to hold back or restrain themselves from taking action.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to refrain?
Options: abstain; partake; indulge; engage
Answer: abstain
Synonyms: abstain; avoid; cease; check; control; curb; desist; eschew; forbear; renounce; restrain; stop
Example: "Please refrain from using your phone during the meeting."

repressed (adjective) /rɪˈprɛst/
Meaning: It implies a state of inhibiting or holding back certain thoughts, emotions, desires, or actions.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to repressed?
Options: suppressed; expressed; open; unrestrained
Answer: suppressed
Synonyms: constrained; controlled; inhibited; muffled; restrained; smothered; stifled; subdued; suppressed
Example: "The repressed emotions simmered beneath the surface, waiting for an outlet."

revoke (verb) /rɪˈvəʊk/
Meaning: It is the opposite of granting or allowing something.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to revoke?
Options: withdraw; grant; bestow; confer
Answer: withdraw
Synonyms: abolish; annul; cancel; invalidate; quash; recall; renege; repeal; rescind; retract; reverse
Example: "The court had to revoke his driver's license due to repeated violations."

scorn (noun) /skɔːn/
Meaning: It represents a deep-seated and often openly expressed disdain for a person's actions, qualities, or ideas, typically due to a perceived lack of value, credibility, or integrity.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to scorn?
Options: disdain; respect; admiration; esteem
Answer: disdain
Synonyms: derision; disparagement; disregard; rebuff; ridicule; scoff; shun; slight; sneer; snub; spurn
Example: "She regarded his proposal with scorn, as if it were a joke."

shirk (verb) /ʃəːk/
Meaning: When someone shirks, they are typically trying to escape from tasks or commitments they should be fulfilling, often out of laziness, reluctance, or a desire to avoid the associated effort or consequences.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to shirk?
Options: avoid; undertake; confront; embrace
Answer: avoid
Synonyms: bypass; deflect; dodge; duck; escape; eschew; evade; shake; shun; sidestep; skive; slack
Example: "He tried to shirk his chores by pretending to be sick."

shun (verb) /ʃraʊd/
Meaning: When individuals shun, they intentionally refuse to engage, associate, or interact with the subject in question.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to shun?
Options: avoid; seek; welcome; embrace
Answer: avoid
Synonyms: abstain; disdain; elude; eschew; evade; ignore; reject; renounce; spurn
Example: "People often shun what they don't understand."

sparing (adjective) /ˈspɛrɪŋ/
Meaning: It can also mean being economical or frugal in the use of resources or materials.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to sparing?
Options: frugal; wasteful; extravagant; lavish
Answer: frugal
Synonyms: cautious; conservative; conserving; economical; frugal; judicious; meager; modest; parsimonious; preserving; restrained; scant
Example: "She used sparing amounts of salt in the recipe."

spurn (verb) /spɜrn/
Meaning: When individuals spurn, they not only decline or turn down an offer or proposal but also do so in a way that conveys a strong sense of rejection or contemptuous dismissal.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to spurn?
Options: reject; accept; welcome; cherish
Answer: reject
Synonyms: disregard; ignore; pass; rebuff; refuse; repudiate; repulse; scorn; snub; veto; withdraw
Example: "She couldn't help but spurn his advances after his betrayal."

suppress (verb) /səˈprɛs/
Meaning: This verb is often used to describe actions taken to control or stop the spread of something undesirable, such as a disease, an uprising, or information.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to suppress?
Options: restrain; reveal; disclose; express
Answer: restrain
Synonyms: censor; check; control; inhibit; quell; silence; smother; squash; stifle; subdue
Example: "He tried to suppress his anger and maintain composure."

temperance (noun) /ˈtɛmp(ə)r(ə)ns/
Meaning: It is the act of restraining oneself from indulging in excessive behavior and maintaining balance and self-control.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to temperance?
Options: moderation; excess; indulgence; intemperance
Answer: moderation
Synonyms: abstemiousness; abstinence; asceticism; continence; control; discipline; forbearance; frugality; moderation; restraint; sacrifice; sobriety
Example: "Her temperance in spending allowed her to save for the future."

trammel (verb) /ˈtræm əl/
Meaning: When you trammel a person or process, you are essentially placing obstacles, hindrances, or limitations in their path, preventing them from moving freely or achieving their goals efficiently.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to trammel?
Options: hinder; liberate; free; enable
Answer: hinder
Synonyms: bind; constrain; curtail; encumber; fetter; hamper; hinder; obstruct; restrict; shackle
Example: "Let not fear trammel your journey towards success."

turncoat (noun) /ˈtəːnkəʊt/
Meaning: A turncoat is someone who betrays their former associates, principles, or cause and joins the opposing side.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to turncoat?
Options: traitor; loyalist; faithful; patriot
Answer: traitor
Synonyms: apostate; backstabber; betrayer; defector; deserter; Judas; quisling; rat; snake; traitor
Example: "The turncoat betrayed his comrades and joined the enemy forces."

unacknowledged (adjective) /ˌʌnəkˈnɒlɪdʒd/
Meaning: It describes a state or condition in which a person, achievement, or contribution has gone unnoticed or unacknowledged by others.
Find the synonym: Which option is closest in meaning to unacknowledged?
Options: unrecognized; celebrated; recognized; acknowledged
Answer: unrecognized
Synonyms: disregarded; overlooked; unapplauded; unappreciated; uncelebrated; uncredited; undervalued; unnoticed; unpraised; unrecognized; unthanked
Example: "Her unacknowledged talent for painting was discovered only after her artwork was accidentally stumbled upon."