# abnegative

CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/abnegative
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He felt abnegative because he had to hide his true interests at work.
- The study explores how abnegative behavior can lead to long-term mental health issues in marginalized communities.
- 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.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.