as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly
took her rebuff in stride, and still greeted her cousin with a friendly smile the next time they met
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to spurn
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Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rebuff
Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Even the rest of the old-schoolers seem oddly content with the new harmonious state of the world and rebuff Carol’s efforts to mobilize.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Noun
The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office.
—Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform.
—Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The corrupt state judiciary will continue to rebuff the attempts of state Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the corrupt state Legislature.
—Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025
Even the rest of the old-schoolers seem oddly content with the new harmonious state of the world and rebuff Carol’s efforts to mobilize.
—Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuff
Noun
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Florida otherwise gets a pat dismissal in Newsom’s memoir.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
12 Mar. 2026
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Authorities say Jesus Briceno Carrillo, 31, weaved into oncoming traffic, passed cars on the shoulder, and sped past three schools during dismissal before deputies caught him on a dead‑end road.—
Doug Myers,
CBS News,
12 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Police are investigating it as an overdose, spurned by the mistaken purchase of fentanyl instead of a different white powdery substance.—
Nate Gartrell,
Mercury News,
11 Mar. 2026
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The application will test an agency that has promised to speed new gene-editing treatments to patients but has recently come under scrutiny from regulators, executives, and advocates for spurning a string of gene therapies for neurological diseases.—
Jason Mast,
STAT,
3 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Staten Island residents still miffed by 2-K snub Staten Island was left out of the first 2,000 seats available for 2-K, prompting the mayor to go there Tuesday to undo the hurt feelings.—
Elijah Westbrook,
CBS News,
10 Mar. 2026
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Want even more news on the latest nominations, snubs, and acceptance speeches?—
Eve Batey,
Vanity Fair,
2 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The show has drawn praise for its meticulous re-creation of ‘90s New York — and also scorn from members of the Kennedy family and mixed reactions from others who knew the couple.—
Rick Porter,
HollywoodReporter,
5 Mar. 2026
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Never underestimate the power of a CEO scorned.—
Brent Lang,
Variety,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Larger than life, his creation repulses and torments him, and Victor spends the rest of his life both running from it and trying to destroy it.—
Ann Kowal Smith,
Forbes,
16 Dec. 2024
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The optical, stop-motion, and puppetry effects alone should make Brain Damage a priority on your watchlist, but Henenlotter’s film excites and repulses on a deeper level.—
Rory Doherty,
Vulture,
19 Sep. 2024
Verb
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These differences contributed to the distrust and disdain the Ottomans held toward the Alawite community, highlighting broader sectarian tensions between Sunni and Shi’a groups within the Ottoman Empire.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
4 Mar. 2026
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Krikorian said a more traditional law enforcement approach should trade street sweeps for a greater focus on worksite enforcement – something Homan has advocated for, but which Trump disdains.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
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In the story, a fictional scientist, Dobb, studies personoid theology and is fascinated by their struggles to understand the nature of their creator, leading to their eventual rejection of Dobb as a deity.—
Dimitris Tsementzis,
Fortune,
14 Mar. 2026
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Gnecco said getting rejections from potential partners and having a business concept that everyone may not understand doesn’t make life as a company executive easy.—
Michael Butler,
Miami Herald,
13 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In a further escalation of tensions with Kyiv, Hungary's parliament on Tuesday passed a resolution giving the government the green light to oppose Ukraine's path to joining the European Union and reject any initiatives to supply Ukraine with weapons or funding.—
JUSTIN SPIKE THE ASSOCIATED PRESS,
Arkansas Online,
11 Mar. 2026
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On Tuesday, officials representing Seligman urged the council to reject the compensation agreements and instead sell the property to Seligman.—
David Garrick,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuff. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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