rebuffs 1 of 2

Definition of rebuffsnext
plural of rebuff
as in dismissals
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

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rebuffs

2 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of rebuff

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuffs
Noun
  • The Justice Department has appealed the Oregon, California and Michigan dismissals.
    Rebecca Boone, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026
  • Many of these dismissals were a result of the difference between what police need to arrest and what prosecutors need to prove guilt — which is a much higher burden, said DA spokesperson Mike Stolp.
    Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 9 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines.
    Darren Franich, Entertainment Weekly, 15 Mar. 2026
  • In between the first two Godfather films, Cazale acted in another Coppola film, The Conversation (1974), playing Stan, an assistant to a meticulous and devout surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) who scorns Stan’s irreverent attitude to their work.
    René Ostberg, Encyclopedia Britannica, 12 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The season’s three biggest acting snubs got to introduce their casting directors during this segment, which was a nice way to give them flowers for strong performances.
    William Earl, Variety, 16 Mar. 2026
  • Just about any set of nominations, let alone wins, comes with articles citing surprises and snubs.
    Rich Heldenfels, Boston Herald, 15 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.
    Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
Verb
  • Against a backdrop of tennis courts, luxury hotels, and colonial privilege, simmering tensions erupt as Lan’s brother Tran rejects his wealthy family’s collaboration with the French to join Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary cause, setting off an assassination that changes everything.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Miami summarily rejects anything resembling tanking because of a long-standing organizational philosophy that isn’t going to be revisited.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • When John begins spitting out his food, his mother, Heather (Shirley Henderson), worn down by exhaustion and anger, banishes him from the dinner table—the first in an unceasing series of maternal rejections.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • McElroy's decision is similar to other rejections by federal judges across country since the Justice Department began seeking detailed voter data from the states.
    ABC News, ABC News, 17 Apr. 2026
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
Verb
  • And Avery refuses to let that happen.
    Ryan Wilusz, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026
  • But the porch light, with only one working bulb, refuses to show us the perfect curves of her aloneness.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 14 Apr. 2026
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.

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Rebuffs.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuffs. Accessed 22 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on rebuffs

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster