repudiation

noun

re·​pu·​di·​a·​tion ri-ˌpyü-dē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce repudiation (audio)
: the act of repudiating : the state of being repudiated
especially : the refusal of public authorities to acknowledge or pay a debt
repudiationist noun

Examples of repudiation in a Sentence

voters seemed satisfied by the candidate's public repudiation of the beliefs of an organization to which he had briefly belonged as a youth New Year's resolutions typically include the repudiation of chocolate and other indulgences and the promise to resume working out at the gym.
Recent Examples on the Web Herzog’s visit wasn’t originally intended as a repudiation of Netanyahu. Eric Cortellessa, Time, 18 July 2023 But some at the network saw the way that change was communicated as a repudiation of their past work. David Bauder, ajc, 7 June 2023 But some at the network saw Licht’s mandate for change as a repudiation of their past work, and a live town hall interview with Trump last month drew widespread criticism. David Bauder, Anchorage Daily News, 7 June 2023 But some at the network saw Licht’s mandate for change as a repudiation of their past work. David Bauder, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2023 Adams promised not just a return to common sense but a repudiation of recent Democratic politics, which had been dominated by calls for criminal justice reform and protests of police brutality. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 5 Apr. 2023 But the candidates aren’t doing much to stack the deck in their favor, declining again to issue a forceful repudiation of Trump. Chuck Todd, NBC News, 19 July 2023 Decision: The Supreme Court's decision Tuesday in a case involving North Carolina's congressional map was a repudiation of an argument raised by state Republicans that state legislatures have virtually unchecked power to set election rules. John Fritze, USA TODAY, 28 June 2023 The women detail their experiences sincerely, for therapeutic purposes, but the punitive essence of these confessions is spotlighted by Gia’s refusal to stand and deliver, an act of silent defiance that exemplifies her repudiation of the system at large. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 13 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'repudiation.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of repudiation was circa 1530

Dictionary Entries Near repudiation

Cite this Entry

“Repudiation.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/repudiation. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Legal Definition

repudiation

noun
re·​pu·​di·​a·​tion ri-ˌpyü-dē-ˈā-shən How to pronounce repudiation (audio)
: the rejection or renunciation of a duty or obligation (as under a contract)
especially : anticipatory repudiation

Note: A party aggrieved by a repudiation may consider a repudiated contract to have been breached and bring an action for relief.

More from Merriam-Webster on repudiation

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