rebuff

verb

re·​buff ri-ˈbəf How to pronounce rebuff (audio)
rebuffed; rebuffing; rebuffs

transitive verb

: to reject or criticize sharply : snub
rebuff noun

Did you know?

Many English verbs begin with the prefix re-, meaning “again” or “backward,” so we wouldn’t criticize you for drawing a connection between rebuff and buff, a verb meaning “to polish or shine.” But rebuff would beg to differ: this word comes to us from the Middle French verb rebuffer, which traces back to the Old Italian ribuffare, meaning “to reprimand.” (Buff, in contrast, comes from the Middle French noun buffle, meaning “wild ox”). A similar word, rebuke, shares the “criticize” sense of rebuff, but not the “reject” sense; one can rebuke another’s actions or policies, but one does not rebuke the advances of another, for example. Like rebuke, rebuff can also be used as a noun, as in “The proposal was met with a stern rebuff from the Board of Trustees.”

Examples of rebuff in a Sentence

Our suggestion was immediately rebuffed. The company rebuffed the bid. She rebuffed him when he asked her for a date.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Newsom has rebuffed those entreaties, and the White House seems no closer to making any significant moves forward. Jireh Deng, Los Angeles Times, 27 Nov. 2024 There were none at Grand Slam tournaments Valentino’s longtime designer Piccioli announces his departure from the brand after 25 years Israel’s Netanyahu rebuffs US plea to halt Rafah offensive. San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Nov. 2024 The decision of who will lead NIH is not final until Trump himself announces it, the people cautioned, and the president-elect has sometimes rebuffed his advisers' recommendations. Dan Diamond The Washington Post, arkansasonline.com, 25 Nov. 2024 Per a statement Tuesday from Boutros' attorneys, the hospital board has rebuffed multiple attempts to settle the matter amicably. Sam Allard, Axios, 20 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for rebuff 

Word History

Etymology

Middle French rebuffer, from Old Italian ribuffare to reprimand, from ribuffo reprimand

First Known Use

circa 1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rebuff was circa 1586

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Dictionary Entries Near rebuff

Cite this Entry

“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuff. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

rebuff

1 of 2 verb
re·​buff
ri-ˈbəf
: to refuse or check sharply
the suggestion was rebuffed

rebuff

2 of 2 noun
: a refusal to meet an advance or offer
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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