ascesis vs self-denial

ascesis and self-denial both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
ascesis	Yes	No	No	No
self-denial	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, self-denial is a hypernym of ascesis; that is, self-denial is a word with a broader meaning than ascesis:

Other hypernyms of ascesis include self-control, self-discipline.

ascesis (noun)	self-denial (noun)
rigorous self-denial and active self-restraint	the act of denying yourself; controlling your impulses
	renunciation of your own interests in favor of the interests of others
	the trait of practicing self discipline