Definition of repudiatenext
1
2
3
4

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of repudiate are decline, refuse, reject, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

When can decline be used instead of repudiate?

The words decline and repudiate can be used in similar contexts, but decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When is it sensible to use refuse instead of repudiate?

While in some cases nearly identical to repudiate, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

Where would reject be a reasonable alternative to repudiate?

The words reject and repudiate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When is spurn a more appropriate choice than repudiate?

In some situations, the words spurn and repudiate are roughly equivalent. However, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

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 repudiate Fujimori sought to reassure voters by emphasizing democratic commitments and acknowledging abuses committed under her father’s government, though without fully repudiating his legacy. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2026 Cracks in church-state wall In his latest I-am-the-law crusade, Uthmeier is repudiating one of the most fundamental aspects of our democracy, the separation of church and state. Orlando Sentinel, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026 For the Supreme Court to do so would require it to repudiate the Constitution’s text, the Court’s own precedents, and the enduring understanding of all three branches and of the American people. David Cole, The New York Review of Books, 4 Apr. 2026 Although the election was largely symbolic—the Texas legislature is currently not in session, and the candidates will run again in November—it was widely seen as evidence that voters were repudiating the current Republican agenda. Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for repudiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repudiate
Verb
  • Shasta County Superior Court judges denied two prior lawsuits that aimed to block Measure B from appearing on the ballot, including one from Shasta County’s attorney Joseph Larmour, without ruling on the substance of their cases.
    Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 13 June 2026
  • Baldoni denied the allegations and maintained that Lively's claims were false.
    Janelle Ash , Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 13 June 2026
Verb
  • Some people in the crowd who refused to leave and blocked traffic engaged in large physically violent fights, causing multiple injuries, the official said.
    Mark Morales, CNN Money, 10 June 2026
  • Rajoub refused the entreaty, much to the frustration and embarrassment of Infantino.
    Scott M. Reid, Oc Register, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • At the same time, the resolution calls for humane immigration policies that uphold justice and mercy, strongly rejecting nativism, discrimination and racial or ethnic hostility.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 10 June 2026
  • As of last month, according to Yahoo Sports, more than $125 million worth of NIL compensation that had been promised to athletes had been rejected by the clearinghouse or was still under review.
    Ryan Kartje, Los Angeles Times, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • What follows are dozens of examples of how those whose names are familiar (or aren’t) and legendary (or infamous) for their actions while representing the state have been embraced (or renounced) by the rest of the country and beyond.
    Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 6 June 2026
  • She’s since voted to block military aid to Israel and renounced the group.
    David Weigel, semafor.com, 1 June 2026
Verb
  • California officials, including Secretary of State Shirley Weber, have repeatedly refuted claims of fraud and, in fact, have defended the state’s slower process as critical to ensuring the counts are accurate.
    Linh Tat, Daily News, 9 June 2026
  • At trial, defense lawyer Bob Varga refuted the accusation, noting there was no bodycam footage of the incident.
    Meredith Colias-Pete, Chicago Tribune, 5 June 2026
Verb
  • Ohtani declined a post-game interview request Thursday.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 12 June 2026
  • The number of stray dog reports has declined in recent years.
    Jasmine Arenas, CBS News, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • This is because Roth IRAs allow withdrawals of your contributions penalty-free (there are, however, stipulations for withdrawing earnings).
    Becca Stanek, TheWeek, 12 June 2026
  • The rationale was that any war Israel fought would inflame popular anti-Israeli sentiment in the Arab and Muslim world, scuttling the Abraham Accords as Arab governments would withdraw out of fear of backlash.
    Ariel Cohen, Forbes.com, 12 June 2026
Verb
  • One of the few major studies that purported ChatGPT improved learning performance was retracted last month.
    Frank Landymore, Futurism, 10 June 2026
  • The farm retracted those statements five days later, but continued to dispute the cause of the outbreak and contest the agency’s findings.
    Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 9 June 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Repudiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repudiate. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on repudiate

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