denialism

noun

de·​ni·​al·​ism di-ˈnī(-ə)l-ˌi-zəm 

dē-

: the practice of denying the existence, truth, or validity of something despite proof or strong evidence that it is real, true, or valid

This depressing tale is the latest incarnation of denialism, the systematic rejection of a body of science in favour of make-believe.

—Debora MacKenzie

He [Henry Puna] said climate change denialism jeopardised the future of Pacific countries: "Some are not willing to accept the stark realities."

—Ben Doherty

The problem of vaccine denialism is closely tied to the problem of information and authority in the digital age. People prone to skepticism can cover themselves with layers of pseudo-science and conspiracy theories that thicken and harden like papier mache.

—Michael Gerson

Getting accurate information across in the face of this science denialism is something of a minefield, as there is evidence that attempts to correct misinformation may backfire, further entrenching the beliefs of science deniers instead.

—Cathleen O'Grady

Examples of denialism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In the days following the presidential election, a familiar strain of denialism and conspiracy thinking began to emerge in the corners of some social media platforms. —Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024

Maricopa County has also been ground zero for election denialism after the 2020 election, with Trump contesting his loss in the pivotal county. —Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 5 Nov. 2024

Skye Perryman, the president and CEO of Democracy Forward—a legal nonprofit that works to protect democracy—knows too well that election denialism and false claims that have proliferated since the 2020 election. —Forbestv, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

On platforms including TikTok and X, NBC News identified dozens of videos and posts — which reached over 10 million viewers, according to public view counts — that shared conspiracy theories related to Musk, Starlink and election denialism. —Kat Tenbarge, NBC News, 16 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

denial + -ism

First Known Use

1874, in the meaning defined above