rejection

noun

ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
Definition of rejectionnext
1
as in denial
a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement made a flat rejection of the charges against him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for the judge's swift rejection of the lawyer's request for a recess

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discard
something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others that pile is for rejections, and this one is for applications we'll be accepting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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 rejection Myrna Muñoz won a Democratic primary in Oregon, with rejection of data center projects part of a platform opposing ICE enforcement and Flock cameras. — Emma Hinchliffe, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026 The rejection of Measure V has significant implications for Davis residents. — Daniel Lempres, Sacbee.com, 28 Sep. 2026 Scholars and intellectuals have long argued that the rejection and hatred of Haitians by some sections of Dominican society are actually a rejection of the Blackness that Haitian identity and culture represents. — Kendall Medford, The Conversation, 25 Sep. 2026 What Walker doesn’t like, however, is posturing, which directly ties into his rejection of conventional Nashville mechanisms. — Chris Barilla, PEOPLE, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rejection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejection
  1. denial
  2. refusal
  3. discard
  4. reject
  5. second
  6. cull
Noun
  • However, Andersen believed the mantra bred a culture of denial.
    — Sam Birchall, Fortune, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The missile is intended for missions where aircraft may face anti-access and area-denial systems.
    — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of denial
Noun
  • The air traffic control operators gave no reason for the earlier refusals.
    — Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 1 Oct. 2026
  • First of all, a lot of this is their refusal to just engage in normal legal cooperation under California’s sanctuary state law.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 30 Sep. 2026
Definition of refusal
Noun
  • Drawing on classic trial films and cartoon lore, director Dave Green crafts an underdog story that mirrors the movie’s own David-versus-Goliath journey from studio discard to theatrical release.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If liquid collects on the top of the discard, stir it in before using.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of discard
Noun
  • Before carving out a career in sports broadcasting and voice acting, Horton was just a teenaged high school basketball reject.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026
  • And both the immune and eliminated designers are high on their own power; Elizabeth, in particular, is acting mighty haughty for a woman whose ruffled scarlet satin dress looks like a reject from the Westworld costume department.
    — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 17 July 2026
Definition of reject
Noun
  • Peggy Tanous isn’t there because she was inexplicably invited to RHUGT instead, and Peggy Sulahian isn’t there because Alex Baskin lost her number the second that season ended.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 2 Oct. 2026
  • The 30-second advertisement makes three specific claims about Vang’s attendance record at three local government boards in the last two years.
    — Mathew Miranda, Sacbee.com, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of second
Noun
  • The Supreme Court of Canada had stayed the cull order until the court decided whether to hear the appeal.
    — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026
  • For that, Nearmap turned to Sci-eye, a company that uses its AI models to count kangaroos, to inform government culls.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2026
Definition of cull

Browse Nearby Words

rejecting
rejection
rejections
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Cite this Entry

“Rejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejection. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rejection

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rejection

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