reject

¹re·ject

transitive verb \ri-ˈjekt\

Definition of REJECT

1

a : to refuse to accept, consider, submit to, take for some purpose, or use <rejected the suggestion> <reject a manuscript>

b : to refuse to hear, receive, or admit : rebuff, repel <parents who reject their children>

c : to refuse as lover or spouse

2

obsolete : to cast off

3

: throw back, repulse

4

: to spew out

5

: to subject to immunological rejection

— re·ject·er or re·jec·tor \-ˈjek-tər\ noun

— re·ject·ing·ly \-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

— re·jec·tive \-ˈjek-tiv\ adjective

Examples of REJECT

1. My teacher rejected my excuse for being late.
2. The committee rejected my proposal.
3. The produce inspector rejected several crates of berries that had begun to grow mold.
4. The college rejects hundreds of applicants each year.
5. We rejected 5 of the 10 job applicants right away.

Origin of REJECT

Middle English, from Latin rejectus, past participle of reicere, from re- + jacere to throw — more at jet

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to REJECT

Synonyms

decline, disallow, disapprove, negative, nix, refuse, deny, reprobate, withhold

Antonyms

allow, concede, grant, let, OK (or okay), permit

Related Words

ban, enjoin, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, veto; rebuff, repel, spurn; check, constrain, curb, hold, keep, repress, restrain, restrict; balk (at), hinder, impede, obstruct

Near Antonyms

afford, furnish, give, provide, supply; authorize, commission, license (also licence); accede (to), acquiesce, agree (to), assent (to), consent (to), warrant; accord, sanction, vouchsafe

See Synonym Discussion at decline

Rhymes with REJECT

abject, advect, affect, aspect, bisect, cathect, collect, confect, connect, convect, correct, cowl-necked, defect, deflect, deject, detect, direct, Dordrecht, effect, eject, elect, erect, ewe-necked, expect, goosenecked, infect, inflect, inject, insect, inspect, neglect, object, pandect, porrect, prefect, prelect, project, prospect, protect, refect, reflect, resect, respect, ring-necked, roll-necked, select, stiff-necked, subject, suspect, traject, transect, trisect, Utrecht, V-necked

²re·ject

noun \ˈrē-ˌjekt\

Definition of REJECT

: a rejected person or thing; especially : one rejected as not wanted, unsatisfactory, or not fulfilling requirements

Examples of REJECT

1. Stack the promising applications here, and put the rejects over there.
2. <was the school reject as a child and has low self-esteem even today>

First Known Use of REJECT

circa 1555

Related to REJECT

Synonyms

castaway, castoff, leper, offscouring, pariah, outcast

Related Words

untouchable; outsider; deportee, exile

Near Antonyms

insider

re·ject

transitive verb \ri-ˈjekt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of REJECT

1

: to rebuff, repel, refuse to hear, or withhold love from; especially : to communicate negative feelings toward and a wish to be free of <parents who reject their children>

2

: to subject to immunological rejection <rejected a heart transplant>

—re·jec·tive \ri-ˈjek-tiv\ adjective