1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
rejected his request for time off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuting
to declare not to be true
I reject the claim that I have ever lied about that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discarding
to get rid of as useless or unwanted
sorted through the nuts and rejected any that had cracked shells or were shattered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in refusing
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
rejected his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of rejecting
Our family photographs depicted us in beauty, power and wholeness, rejecting every image that attempted to relegate us to a stereotype.
—
Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Then last week, the agency published on its website the complete response letter detailing the FDA’s reasons for rejecting the drug.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
The Supreme Court delivered a win to California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, rejecting a Republican challenge of a redistricting in the state that was passed overwhelmingly by voters last November.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson held a South Side town hall Tuesday evening to again hammer the city budget, the latest score-settling between him and the City Council bloc that passed its own plan in December after rejecting key parts of his proposal.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
But rejecting everything intuitive outright also misses something important.
—Malana Vantyler, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
As for Brown’s game, one thing that stands out on his tape, especially as an Atlanta resident, is Brown’s knack for rejecting screens with a right-to-left dribble and creating a runway to the rim.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Superior Court Judge Michael Carter handed down the 11-year sentence hours after rejecting a motion for a new trial.
—Cbs La Staff, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Many people, however, are rejecting the message that skin color, language, or national origin disqualifies someone from being their neighbor.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Then last week, the agency published on its website the complete response letter detailing the FDA’s reasons for rejecting the drug.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
The Supreme Court delivered a win to California Governor Gavin Newsom on Wednesday, rejecting a Republican challenge of a redistricting in the state that was passed overwhelmingly by voters last November.
—Ted Johnson, Deadline, 4 Feb. 2026
Mayor Brandon Johnson held a South Side town hall Tuesday evening to again hammer the city budget, the latest score-settling between him and the City Council bloc that passed its own plan in December after rejecting key parts of his proposal.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2026
But rejecting everything intuitive outright also misses something important.
—Malana Vantyler, Sacbee.com, 4 Feb. 2026
As for Brown’s game, one thing that stands out on his tape, especially as an Atlanta resident, is Brown’s knack for rejecting screens with a right-to-left dribble and creating a runway to the rim.
—John Hollinger, New York Times, 3 Feb. 2026
Superior Court Judge Michael Carter handed down the 11-year sentence hours after rejecting a motion for a new trial.
—Cbs La Staff, CBS News, 2 Feb. 2026
Many people, however, are rejecting the message that skin color, language, or national origin disqualifies someone from being their neighbor.
—Julie Beck, The Atlantic, 31 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejecting
Verb
-
Brown says denying asylees due process is unconstitutional.—
Anna Alejo,
CBS News,
7 Feb. 2026
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The most common complaints include denying legitimate claims, partnering with inexperienced and unqualified service providers, poor service, and slow response times.—
Sharon Brandwein,
USA Today,
6 Feb. 2026
Verb
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On Tuesday, Cordero-Stutz’s office issued a statement refuting a recent school system memo that had said there was a deal for the Sheriff’s Office to help process outstanding bus-camera violations that had been issued before last year’s suspension but are currently stalled in court.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
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Unfortunately for Izzo, there are decades of film refuting this as a media dramatization.—
Joe Rexrode,
New York Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Drain, discarding the soaking liquid.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Add pork, discarding the excess sauce.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Most of the time, a child who is shoving at the playground or refusing to take turns with the blocks at daycare is just testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
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The Clintons agreed to testify later this month after initially refusing and facing a potential contempt vote.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
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Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The California Highway Patrol said the driver was dumping dirt into a nearby construction zone and left the trailer up before crashing.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
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Central banks and global investors are dumping dollars and buying gold.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Some readers refuse to join one, stubbornly persisting in flipping to one section and ignoring the rest.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
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Hustle culture praised women for ignoring their instincts in the name of productivity.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Lately, celebs have been ditching heels and dresses for more relaxed red carpet attire, and Meghan Markle’s 2026 Sundance Film Festival outfit is no different.—
Nicol Natale,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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On Wednesday, Elon Musk said the company was ditching its iconic Model X and Model S cars to clear factory space for humanoid robots.—
Reed Albergotti,
semafor.com,
30 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rejecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejecting. Accessed 13 Feb. 2026.
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