Pronunciation: /sɛlf dɪˈnaɪəl/
noun the act of restraining oneself or denying one's own desires or needs
A1 Self-denial is when you choose not to have something you want.
A2 She practiced self-denial by refusing to eat any sweets.
B1 Self-denial can be a difficult concept to grasp for some people.
B2 The monk's life was characterized by strict self-denial and discipline.
C1 Many successful athletes attribute their achievements to years of self-denial and sacrifice.
C2 The artist's self-denial in pursuit of perfection led to the creation of a masterpiece.
formal The practice of self-denial is often associated with religious asceticism.
informal She's really good at self-denial when it comes to eating junk food.
slang I can't believe he's still in self-denial about his bad habits.
figurative Sometimes self-denial can be like holding onto a balloon that you know will eventually pop.
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