refusal to acknowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "refusal to acknowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing someone's unwillingness to recognize or accept a fact, situation, or person's existence. Example: "His refusal to acknowledge the problem only made the situation worse."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One also despairs at the grudging refusal to acknowledge error.

The Guardian - Film

Yet this is not a refusal to acknowledge events.

The Guardian - Books

For years such a joint commemoration was made impossible by Turkey's refusal to acknowledge the genocide.

The Economist

Part of the problem is India's refusal to acknowledge that there is a problem.

Independent

The truly disturbing aspect of Shelley's behavior was his self-justifying refusal to acknowledge Harriet's distress.

The New Yorker

Even John's optimism — "We're going to be O.K". — feels like a refusal to acknowledge her suffering.

The New Yorker

It is a refusal to acknowledge the limits of his power.

The New York Times

Of equal concern is the responsible authorities' refusal to acknowledge the gravity of the problem.

The Guardian - Opinion

Dr Jekyll's fundamental flaw is his refusal to acknowledge the existence of Mr Hyde.

The Guardian

What also remains a thing of wonder is Bud Greenspan's strict refusal to acknowledge Olympic perfidy.

The New York Times - Sports

His sense of humor was legendary as was his refusal to acknowledge his own importance.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "refusal to acknowledge", ensure the context clearly indicates what is being denied or ignored. For example: "The company's "refusal to acknowledge" the environmental damage led to public outrage."

Common error

Avoid using "refusal to acknowledge" when a simple lack of awareness is the issue. "Refusal" implies a deliberate act of denial, not just a lack of information. If someone is simply unaware, use phrases like "lack of awareness" or "unfamiliarity with" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "refusal to acknowledge" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its role in describing an act of denying or rejecting something. Example: "The government's refusal to acknowledge the problem exacerbated the crisis."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "refusal to acknowledge" is a common and grammatically sound way to describe a deliberate unwillingness to recognize or accept something. Ludwig AI confirms this, and the examples illustrate its use across various contexts, primarily in news and media. While it's generally neutral in tone, it often carries a critical undertone, indicating disapproval of the denial. For alternatives, consider "denial to admit" or "unwillingness to recognize", but be mindful of the subtle differences in meaning. When using "refusal to acknowledge", ensure you're accurately portraying a deliberate act of denial, not just a lack of awareness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rejection of recognition

Highlights the act of rejecting any form of acknowledgement.

unwillingness to recognize

Highlights the lack of willingness to see or accept something.

denial to admit

Focuses on the act of not admitting something is true.

failure to accept

Emphasizes the lack of acceptance of a fact or situation.

disinclination to concede

Suggests a reluctance to admit something, often in an argument.

ignoring the existence of

Highlights the act of deliberately overlooking something.

omission to mention

Emphasizes the act of leaving something unmentioned, often intentionally.

neglect to appreciate

Focuses on the failure to value or understand something.

oversight to credit

Suggests a mistake in not giving due recognition.

declining to own

Focuses on the refusal to take responsibility or ownership of something.

FAQs

How to use "refusal to acknowledge" in a sentence?

You can use "refusal to acknowledge" to describe a situation where someone is unwilling to accept or recognize something. For example: "His "refusal to acknowledge" his mistakes made it difficult to resolve the issue."

What can I say instead of "refusal to acknowledge"?

You can use alternatives like "denial to admit", "unwillingness to recognize", or "failure to accept" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "refusal to acknowledge" or "failure to acknowledge"?

Both "refusal to acknowledge" and "failure to acknowledge" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Refusal" implies a deliberate act of denial, while "failure" can also mean a simple inability or oversight.

What's the difference between "refusal to acknowledge" and "ignoring"?

"Refusal to acknowledge" suggests a conscious decision not to recognize something, while "ignoring" can imply either deliberate avoidance or simply not paying attention. Therefore, "refusal to acknowledge" is a more specific and forceful term than simply ignoring something.