as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
took her rebuff in stride, and still greeted her cousin with a friendly smile the next time they met
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to spurn
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebuff
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Even the rest of the old-schoolers seem oddly content with the new harmonious state of the world and rebuff Carol’s efforts to mobilize.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Noun
The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The corrupt state judiciary will continue to rebuff the attempts of state Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the corrupt state Legislature.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Even the rest of the old-schoolers seem oddly content with the new harmonious state of the world and rebuff Carol’s efforts to mobilize.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuff
Noun
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But his tenure was also marked by a notoriously volatile temperament that ultimately led to his dismissal in September 2000.—
Daniel Libit,
Sportico.com,
19 June 2026
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Just a brutal start for Qatar, which now gets a red card and the dismissal of Homam El Amin.—
Andrew Greif,
NBC news,
19 June 2026
Verb
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But when a suspicious blaze kills their mom and dad, Guinevere carries on the legacy Ennis spurns, until the past erupts into the present, revealing terrifying truths about who their parents really were.—
Carly Tagen-Dye,
PEOPLE,
7 June 2026
-
Mia Williams, a former Gator, spurned her former team with a two-run home run for the 10-8 win.—
Steven Louis Goldstein,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
Noun
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But at least one visitor speaking to the Post saw the decision to continue blocking the facade as a snub to the people.—
Brian Boucher,
ARTnews.com,
16 June 2026
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Perhaps the biggest snub is Martha Stewart, who had her toe broken by Brunson during a May 2025 game.—
Kathleen Perricone,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 June 2026
Verb
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For years, Knicks owner James Dolan has been scorned by fans.—
Zach Harper,
New York Times,
3 June 2026
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Those who believed in finvenkismo scorned Raŭmismo.—
Katie Thornton,
Harpers Magazine,
26 May 2026
Noun
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Larger than life, his creation repulses and torments him, and Victor spends the rest of his life both running from it and trying to destroy it.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
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The optical, stop-motion, and puppetry effects alone should make Brain Damage a priority on your watchlist, but Henenlotter’s film excites and repulses on a deeper level.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2024
Verb
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These days, sports gambling is legal in 39 states, accessible on your phone app in 30 and, in dozens of places, actually paying millions in sponsorship deals to the very college programs that disdain this kind of activity by their players.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
10 June 2026
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As was ever the case, the Babe returned fire, answering the heckles by mocking the Cubs players and disdaining their fans.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
8 June 2026
Noun
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Rather than dwell on the rejection, the two quickly shift gears and discuss 10 Petal's upcoming 190th anniversary celebration.—
Samantha Stutsman,
PEOPLE,
13 June 2026
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The popularity of social media — where everyone posts their personal business online — has turned rejection into a public spectacle, beyond your friend group, school, community or neighborhood.—
Avni Trivedi,
CNN Money,
13 June 2026
Verb
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Israel’s request to see the text was rejected by the US, an Israeli source told CNN.—
Kevin Liptak,
CNN Money,
17 June 2026
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The legal case, decided at an emergency hearing in a Los Angeles courthouse on Monday morning, was brought by an Iranian fan who said FIFA’s block impinged freedom of speech, but the judge rejected that argument.—
Henry Bushnell,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuff. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
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