spurn

¹spurn

verb \ˈspərn\

Definition of SPURN

intransitive verb

1

obsolete

a : stumble

b : kick 1a

2

archaic : to reject something disdainfully

transitive verb

1

: to tread sharply or heavily upon : trample

2

: to reject with disdain or contempt : scorn

— spurn·er noun

Examples of SPURN

1. <fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help>

Origin of SPURN

Middle English, from Old English spurnan; akin to Old High German spurnan to kick, Latin spernere to spurn, Greek spairein to quiver

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SPURN

Synonyms

balk (at), deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, repudiate, decline, throw out, throw over, turn down

Antonyms

accept, agree (to), approve

Related Words

blow off, disdain, rebuff, scorn, scout, shoot down; overrule, veto; forbid, prohibit, proscribe; dismiss, ignore; abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from); deny, disavow, disclaim, dispute, gainsay; stick; abjure, forswear (also foreswear), recant, renounce, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw; avoid, bypass, detour; contradict, deny, disown, negate; controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute; back down, back off, backtrack; disallow, recall, renege, revoke

Near Antonyms

condone, countenance, swallow, tolerate; adopt, embrace, receive, take, welcome; accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, consent; choose, handpick, select; espouse, support

See Synonym Discussion at decline

Rhymes with SPURN

Bern, burn, churn, earn, erne, fern, kern, learn, pirn, quern, stern, tern, terne, turn, urn, yearn

²spurn

noun

Definition of SPURN

1

a : kick 1a

b obsolete : stumble

2

a : disdainful rejection

b : contemptuous treatment

First Known Use of SPURN

14th century