self-denial

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   The act of refusing to let yourself have things you want or enjoy.

   Grammar: Used without 'a' or a plural: 'an act of self-denial', not 'a self-denial'.

   Patterns

   • an act of self-denial
   • a life of self-denial

   Her strict self-denial meant she never bought new clothes or ate in restaurants.

   The monks lived a life of self-denial, owning almost nothing.

   For him, studying for years instead of going out was a form of self-denial.

2. 2noununcountablespecialist

   In psychology, the blocking of your own natural desires or needs, often causing stress.

   Grammar: Used in technical writing about the mind; still uncountable.

   Patterns

   • self-denial of something
   • a pattern of self-denial

   The therapist noted that his constant self-denial of basic needs was harming his health.

   Self-denial can be a coping strategy, but it often leads to burnout.

Common combinations

an act of self-denial

Giving up dessert every night felt like an act of self-denial.

a life of self-denial

She chose a life of self-denial to save money for her family.

practice self-denial

Some religions teach followers to practice self-denial during certain months.

extreme self-denial

His extreme self-denial worried his friends, who thought he worked too hard.

Synonyms and how they differ

abstinence

Often used for giving up a specific thing like alcohol or sex, while self-denial is broader and about denying yourself generally.

temperance

Means moderation or restraint, not total refusal; self-denial is stronger and more absolute.

asceticism

A formal term for a strict, simple way of life, usually for religious reasons; self-denial can be any small act.

Opposites

Word family

self-denying adjective

Describing someone who often refuses their own desires.

deny verb

To say something is not true, or to refuse to give something.

denial noun

The act of saying no to a request, or refusing to accept a fact.

Commonly confused: self-denial or self-control?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “self-denial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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