I think she's still in 'a state of denial' about her husband's death. [=she still has not fully accepted that her husband is dead]
The city government has been heavily criticized for its 'denial' of the seriousness of the situation.
He's 'in denial' about his drinking problem. [=he will not admit that he drinks too much alcohol]
(..) I knew it, he moves to America and becomes an alcoholic. I'm not an alcoholic. Then why were you drunk? It was just this one time, Papa, I swear. Are you in denial? Do we have to come over and do an intervention? Don't embarrass him in front of his friends. All right. Carry us outside. (..)2007 TvShow: The Big Bang Theory Title: The Grasshopper Experiment Season: 1 Episode 8