rebuff 1 of 2

Definition of rebuffnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rebuff

2 of 2

verb

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of rebuff
Noun
Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform. Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026 The matter-of-fact rebuff feels very French, very Oklou. Anna Gaca, Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2025
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
  • Mathieu played just two collegiate seasons before his dismissal in 2012 and subsequent entry into a drug rehabilitation program.
    Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 31 Jan. 2026
  • At Rufus King International Middle School, students must store their phones in a vault each morning and retrieve them at dismissal.
    Kayla Huynh, jsonline.com, 30 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Braddy’s motive, Rifkin said, was that he was spurned by Maycock, who had repeatedly rejected his advances.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Less than 24 hours after Tucker spurned the Mets, the team pivoted to Bo Bichette, bringing him in on a three-year deal worth $126 million.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Yes, there were weird snubs, but the sheer depth of American talent even allowing that to happen is the real story.
    Dom Luszczyszyn, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • But much like with the Belichick snub, NFL fans were as perplexed about Kraft being left off the ballot as well.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • If Damsky returns to law school, some classmates will treat him as a social pariah who deserves scorn.
    Conor Friedersdorf, The Atlantic, 26 Jan. 2026
  • Like a lot of messy divorces, this started with a wandering eye, a lover scorned and boils down to the money.
    Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • White supremacy, which is very much alive in the land — turn on the news — disdains every people of color.
    Television Critic, Los Angeles Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Khamenei was born into poverty and outwardly disdains pomp, cultivating an image of pious frugality.
    Karim Sadjadpour, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • Calling for an independent transportation study is not a rejection of women’s professional soccer.
    Ed Gaskin, Boston Herald, 31 Jan. 2026
  • A week before being taken into custody, Lemon predicted he’d be arrested, despite Schiltz's rejection of the government's previous attempts to apprehend him.
    Danielle Bacher, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • That attempt was rejected, and in October 2023, LIV’s application was formally denied.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
  • Jimenez, in part, criticized Gilbert’s proposal to put a commissioner on the panel that recommends an inspector general candidate for the commission to either accept or reject.
    Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 3 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuff. Accessed 5 Feb. 2026.

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