Negational

Part of speech: adjective

Definitions

1. Relating to the expression or use of denial, refusal, or negation in language, logic, or discourse
2. Pertaining to concepts or processes involving the contradiction, inversion, or denial of a statement, condition, or proposition
3. Connected with the grammatical, logical, or rhetorical functions that convey the opposite, absence, or negation of an idea or assertion

Etymology: "Negational" is a plain formation: the noun "negation" with the adjective-forming suffix "-al" attached, giving a word meaning relating to negation. "Negation" itself comes from Latin "negatio," a noun derived from "negare," "to deny" or "to say no," which is also the source of "negative." The suffix "-al" carries the sense "of or relating to," so "negational" describes whatever belongs to the act or category of negating. Because "negation" already has a clear logical and grammatical sense, the adjective mostly appears in discussions of linguistics and logic, where it narrows the meaning to the function of denial itself rather than to the act of refusing in everyday life.

Synonyms: negative, denying, contradictory, opposing, refuting

Antonyms: affirmative, positive, assertive, confirming, supportive