refusal to acknowledge

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   The act of declining to admit that something is true or that something exists.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase. Often followed by 'of' or 'that': a refusal to acknowledge the problem; his refusal to acknowledge that he was wrong.

   Patterns

   • refusal to acknowledge something
   • refusal to acknowledge that + clause
   • somebody's refusal to acknowledge something

   The manager's refusal to acknowledge the complaints made the staff feel ignored.

   Her refusal to acknowledge her mistake only made the situation worse.

   The report criticized the government's refusal to acknowledge the severity of the crisis.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   A decision or policy of not recognizing someone's authority, existence, or rights.

   Grammar: Used especially in political or legal contexts. Often followed by 'of': refusal to acknowledge the new state.

   Patterns

   • refusal to acknowledge somebody/something
   • refusal to acknowledge the authority of somebody

   The refusal to acknowledge the elected leader led to international tensions.

   Their refusal to acknowledge the treaty's terms caused the negotiations to break down.

Common combinations

stubborn refusal to acknowledge

His stubborn refusal to acknowledge the evidence frustrated everyone.

refusal to acknowledge the truth

Her refusal to acknowledge the truth hurt her family.

refusal to acknowledge responsibility

The company's refusal to acknowledge responsibility angered the victims.

refusal to acknowledge a problem

The refusal to acknowledge a problem can lead to bigger issues.

Synonyms and how they differ

denial

Denial is broader and can mean an unconscious psychological state, while refusal to acknowledge suggests a conscious choice.

nonadmission

Nonadmission is very formal and rare; it often refers to not admitting guilt, not to ignoring facts.

turning a blind eye

This idiom suggests ignoring something deliberately, often with a hint of cowardice or complicity.

Opposites

Word family

acknowledge verb

To accept or admit that something is true.

acknowledgment noun

The act of admitting or recognizing something.

refuse verb

To say or show that you will not do something.

refusal noun

An act of saying or showing that you will not do something.

Commonly confused: refusal to acknowledge or refusal to admit?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “refusal to acknowledge”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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