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 The wholesale rejection of ultraprocessed foods could also make life more difficult for families who rely on the convenience and affordability the products offer. — Garrett M. Broad, The Conversation, 19 Oct. 2026 Smith wants voters to approve them, while Carney has urged their rejection. — Rob Gillies, Fortune, 17 Oct. 2026 In their rejection of the country’s current trajectory, the protests pose the most significant challenge to Modi’s authority since the prime minister came to power in 2014. — Pratap Bhanu Mehta, Foreign Affairs, 15 Oct. 2026 Wayne State University psychology professor Hannah Schacter says changes during adolescence make teenagers unusually sensitive to acceptance and rejection, which is why being frozen out of a group chat can register as a real loss. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 15 Oct. 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
  • Brandon McElroy, who founded the nonprofit Green Air Solutions to lead the fight against J7, said in an interview that the denial was a decisive win.
    — Elizabeth Campbell, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Oct. 2026
  • If the company chooses to obey, the Chinese might retaliate with the denial of crucial rare-earth metals.
    — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of denial
Noun
  • The refusal has to be enforced in the part of the system that does not get rewritten every sprint.
    — Murali Rajendran, Forbes.com, 20 Oct. 2026
  • Opposite him is Nouri, the idealistic doctor, whose refusal to enforce a Sharia court order puts his life in jeopardy.
    — Christopher Vourlias, Variety, 20 Oct. 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
  • All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Pollock's rejects were the source material for Bald Eagle, according to Kumar.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of reject
Noun
  • The ability for anyone to generate strategy, code, or creative work in seconds effectively filled in the moats built on blitzscaling overnight.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But, the heartbreak would come sneaking around the bend over what might be the wildest 20 seconds of recent Big Ten memory, thanks to the insane final few minutes.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of second
Noun
  • The news comes only 24 hours after the streamer underwent a massive cull, laying off around 1,000 employees.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Others worry about the cull’s potential impact on the shark species.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 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 24 Oct. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rejection

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