People not admitting when things are going bad

Is there a word for someone who does not want to admit that things are going bad?

E.g. when a person does not want to admit that a specific project at work isn't going as planned -- not because they are not aware of it, but simply because they don't want to admit it.


Somebody is "in denial" if they refuse to admit the true circumstances to themselves.


Consider "obstinate."

obstinate: firmly or stubbornly adhering to one's purpose, opinion, etc.; not yielding to argument, persuasion, or entreaty.

The expressions "bury one's head in the sand," "be blind as a bat," and "turn on the blinders (and stick to one's guns)" are also quite descriptive of that kind of attitude.

bury (or hide one's face) in the sand: to refuse to think about an unpleasant situation, hoping that it will improve so you will not have to deal with it.

blind as a bat: unwilling to recognize problems or bad things.

put the blinders on (also turn on the blinders): to refuse to admit something.


Is there a word for someone who does not want to admit that things are going bad?

Delusional:to mislead the mind or judgment of; deceive.

Example 1:

His conceit deluded him into believing he was important.

Example 2:

  • Bob: Roger, we've got to sell our company! It's failing! There's no way we can survive if we keep going on like this!
  • Roger: Of course we can! We've got funds to back us up!
  • Bob: We have nothing in our bank! You're being delusional!

  • That person is delusional.
  • That person is deluded.

Try this word:

Stubborn - having or showing dogged determination not to change one's attitude or position on something, especially in spite of good reasons to do so.

You're asking for a little bit more specific meaning, but I think in this case we would use the word stubborn.