ENGLISH
REFERENCE

abnegative

adj.
C2 Proficiency ab·ne·g·a·tive
Definition

adj. describing someone who wants to deny or hide their own identity or personality. It is often used to talk about people who feel they must hide who they really are to fit in.

adj. relating to the denial or suppression of one's own identity, personality, or individuality. Often used in psychological or sociological contexts to describe the internal conflict of a minority group member.


SIMPLE

He felt abnegative because he had to hide his true interests at work.

CONTEXTUAL

The study explores how abnegative behavior can lead to long-term mental health issues in marginalized communities.

COMPLEX

The protagonist's abnegative tendencies are evident in his constant attempts to mimic the speech patterns of his more dominant peers, effectively erasing his own cultural background in the process.

Last updated June 22, 2026