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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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
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
  • The Supreme Court is sending the case back to the lower court for dismissal.
    Melissa Repko,Sara Salinas, CNBC, 20 Feb. 2026
  • The Justice Department has appealed the dismissal of those prosecutions.
    JESSICA HILL THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • China has looked to woo regional powers spurned by Washington’s protectionist turn.
    J.D. Capelouto, semafor.com, 24 Feb. 2026
  • And having so expertly set up a winning position, Jacobs was not going to spurn it.
    Matt Slater, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Others, though, believed his snub was tied to his no-show endorsement deal with Aspiration, a green banking firm, and whether the payments circumvented salary cap rules.
    Janis Carr, Oc Register, 14 Feb. 2026
  • Despite nine nominations, the SAG snub lingers as a warning sign.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 11 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Perhaps Frank should not scorn the Democrats for their emphasis on education.
    Colin Cepuran, Harpers Magazine, 24 Feb. 2026
  • This comes as mosques and holy shrines have been important bases for the regime to spread the hardcore ideology its leaders stand by, which bans any kind of dance and music and scorns them as sins -- let alone tolerating them in public or at holy sites.
    Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 23 Feb. 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
  • 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
  • White supremacy, which is very much alive in the land — turn on the news — disdains every people of color.
    Robert Lloyd, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Their answers predicted a crushing rejection of the Roosevelt administration and the triumphant election of Republican Alf Landon and his running mate, Frank Knox.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Lung transplant patients see their doctors often in the year after the surgery, when the risk of organ rejection is the highest, Powers said.
    CBS News, CBS News, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • The big man drew a foul inside, sank a baby hook shot, rejected a shot by Suns counterpart Mark Williams and fed a pass to Sam Hauser for a layup.
    Zack Cox, Boston Herald, 25 Feb. 2026
  • These improvements came after Americans rejected soft-on-crime and defund-the-police policies, which resulted in a spike in crime over the previous 4 years.
    Gabe Evans, Denver Post, 25 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuff. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.

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