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Synonym Chooser

How is the word repudiate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of repudiate are decline, refuse, reject, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

When can decline be used instead of repudiate?

The words decline and repudiate can be used in similar contexts, but decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When is it sensible to use refuse instead of repudiate?

While in some cases nearly identical to repudiate, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

Where would reject be a reasonable alternative to repudiate?

The words reject and repudiate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When is spurn a more appropriate choice than repudiate?

In some situations, the words spurn and repudiate are roughly equivalent. However, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of repudiate Chinese officials, however, have repudiated the president’s claims about negotiations and called for an end to unilateral tariffs. Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025 To make, not impose, peace Mr. Trump repeatedly cast himself as a peacemaker but not as a peace-imposer, repudiating his predecessors – Republican and Democratic alike – who sought to remake the Middle East in the West’s image and according to Western values. Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 2025 Their entire agenda has been totally repudiated by the American people. Heather Hamilton, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2025 The Justice Department apparently repudiated that position shortly after expressing it, which suggests that all parts of the executive branch weren’t quite working from the same playbook, at least initially, even after that year of internal discussion. Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for repudiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repudiate
Verb
  • But the company denies claims that its equipment sparked the 2019 fire, which tore through Sylmar, Porter Ranch and Granada Hills — all suburbs of Los Angeles — burning 8,799 acres.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • To many in the transgender community, the policy also felt like another attack by the current administration to erase them from public spaces and deny their existence.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Molina-Neave was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006 but refused extradition to Denver.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
  • In both cases, as there was no misconduct, there were no apologies offered and no admission of guilt, in an effort to protect their reputations by refusing contrition for their journalism.
    Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Time, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • New York Senator Julia Salazar, who was among the electeds observing hearings Thursday called for New Yorkers to reject what is happening inside lower Manhattan immigration courts.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • But her boss rejects her resignation, and offers her a new assignment: find Xavier, the mysterious kingpin whose power reaches all the way to the Oval Office.
    Hunter Ingram, Variety, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • Of course, the former two had retired whereas the latter had only temporarily withdrawn.
    Charlotte Harpur, New York Times, 4 July 2025
  • The traffic receded as Chicago withdrew into the distance behind me on Interstate 90.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • But DeGeneres ultimately refuted the claims that savaged her career.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
  • Bennett’s opinion directly refuted the argument — made by Assistant Atty.
    Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • At the time, Harvard declined to comment on the president’s post.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Trade with Mexico has been robust – and the U.S. deficit with Mexico has swollen as China’s has retracted.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • But at the last moment, as the path between the two structures is retracting, Gi-hun jumps over and begins to fight Myung-gi to the death with the knife he’s had in his possession, as the baby lies off to the side.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • The justices who renounced that lie in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center exposed themselves to scurrilous criticisms and even threats to their safety.
    The Editors, National Review, 24 June 2025
  • Syria's new government, led by a former affiliate of ISIS and Al-Qaeda who has renounced jihadi ties in recent years, has vowed to continue efforts to battle ISIS.
    Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Repudiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repudiate. Accessed 10 Jul. 2025.

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