spurn

1 of 2

verb

ˈspərn 

spurned; spurning; spurns

transitive verb

1

: to reject with disdain or contempt : scorn

spurned their offer

2

: to tread sharply or heavily upon : trample

intransitive verb

1

archaic : to reject something disdainfully

2

obsolete

a

: stumble

b

: kick sense 1a

spurner noun

spurn

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: disdainful rejection

b

: contemptuous treatment

2

a

: kick sense 1a

b

obsolete : stumble

Synonyms of spurn

Verb

• refuse
• reject
• decline

Choose the Right Synonym for spurn

decline, refuse, reject, repudiate, spurn mean to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering.

decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

Examples of spurn in a Sentence

Verb

fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Austen's work has spurned many memorable screen adaptations, fan clubs and societies alike; a testament to how her work still resonates today. —Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 16 Dec. 2025

Paramount, having been spurned at the bidding stage, has launched an all-cash, aggressive takeover as its next move, going directly to shareholders in the hopes of earning their approval. —David Sims, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2025

He’s been spurned by the refs in multiple cities this week already. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 4 Dec. 2025

Nebraska's Matt Rhule initially looked like the clear favorite to win the job, but eventually opted to stay in Lincoln, spurning his alma mater. —Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 2a

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for spurn

• berne
• burn
• churn
• dern
• earn
• erne
• fern
• hern
• hirn
• learn
• morne
• quern

Kids Definition

spurn

verb

ˈspərn

: to reject or thrust aside with scorn

spurner noun