Thesaurus

reject

Q: How is the word 'reject' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of reject are decline , refuse , repudiate , and spurn . While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding. // rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

Q: When might 'decline' be a better fit than 'reject'?

While in some cases nearly identical to reject , decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations. // declined his party's nomination

Q: When would 'refuse' be a good substitute for 'reject'?

The words refuse and reject are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for. // refused to lend them the money

Q: When could 'repudiate' be used to replace 'reject'?

The meanings of repudiate and reject largely overlap; however, repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance. // teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

Q: When is it sensible to use 'spurn' instead of 'reject'?

Although the words spurn and reject have much in common, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation. // spurned his overtures of friendship

verb

Save Word

Synonyms & Antonyms of reject

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 to be unwilling to grant

rejected his request for time off

Synonyms for reject

Words Related to reject

Near Antonyms for reject

Antonyms for reject

2 to declare not to be true

I reject the claim that I have ever lied about that

Synonyms for reject

Words Related to reject

traverse

Near Antonyms for reject

Antonyms for reject

3 to get rid of as useless or unwanted

sorted through the nuts and rejected any that had cracked shells or were shattered

Synonyms for reject

Words Related to reject

dismiss,
kick out

Phrases Synonymous with reject

Near Antonyms for reject

4 to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

rejected his marriage proposal

Synonyms for reject

Words Related to reject

overrule,
veto

dismiss,
ignore

stick

Phrases Synonymous with reject

turn one's back on

Near Antonyms for reject

espouse,
support

Antonyms for reject

reject

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of reject (Entry 2 of 2)

1 one who is cast out or rejected by society

was the school reject as a child and has low self-esteem even today

Synonyms for reject

Words Related to reject

untouchable

outsider

deportee,
exile

Near Antonyms for reject

insider

2 something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others

that apple has a mushy spot on it, so it's a reject

Synonyms for reject

Words Related to reject

castaway,
throwaway

Frequently Asked Questions About reject

How is the word reject different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of reject are decline, refuse, repudiate, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When might decline be a better fit than reject?

While in some cases nearly identical to reject, decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When would refuse be a good substitute for reject?

The words refuse and reject are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

When could repudiate be used to replace reject?

The meanings of repudiate and reject largely overlap; however, repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents