as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
the university's nonacceptance of my application for admission was accompanied by considerable regret, if you believe the rejection letter
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Recent Examples of nonacceptance
Positions have softened over the years from nonacceptance and refusal to discuss this to a point now where these are agenda items in the negotiations.
—
Seth Borenstein, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022
Throughout the 19th century, Jews rose in business and the professions, becoming physicians and lawyers, even politicians and army officers, only to discover that half-acceptance into Christian society could be more dangerous than nonacceptance.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2017
Seth Borenstein, ajc, 24 Sep. 2022
Throughout the 19th century, Jews rose in business and the professions, becoming physicians and lawyers, even politicians and army officers, only to discover that half-acceptance into Christian society could be more dangerous than nonacceptance.
—Roger Cohen, New York Times, 18 Dec. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for nonacceptance
Noun
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According to Damien Routely, these include messy ownership of decisions and no reliable view of cash or delivery cadence, which indicate a weak and unclear leadership structure; the inability to properly articulate what the business actually is, and a refusal to listen and assimilate feedback.—
Alison Coleman,
Forbes.com,
23 Jan. 2026
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In an age when the phone has become our memory, map, diary, and most reliable distraction, Katrantzou has created a series of minaudières, part of the Bulgari Icons project, that offer a polite but pointed refusal.—
Tiziana Cardini,
Vogue,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
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When people perceive interpersonal threat, such as criticism, rejection or conflict, the brain’s stress circuits get activated, limiting access to the prefrontal regions involved in perspective-taking and flexible thinking.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
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That’s more than can be said for some of Obama’s former furniture, which didn’t survive long enough to face rejection.—
Jack O'Connor,
Chicago Tribune,
24 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In recent years, Olathe’s seen more projects move forward that could help address the missing middle housing gap, including a City Council approval on Tuesday to build 71 townhome units, despite the Planning Commission recommending denial, Olathe spokesperson Kennedy said.—
Taylor O'Connor,
Kansas City Star,
10 Jan. 2026
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The president cited the denial of the students’ constitutional rights in federalizing the Arkansas National Guard.—
Andy Rose,
CNN Money,
9 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Nonacceptance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/nonacceptance. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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