reject

¹re·ject

verb \ri-ˈjekt\

Definition of REJECT

transitive verb

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 all synonyms and antonyms

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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