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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 Fine ended up repudiating DeSantis and switching his support to Donald Trump, who ultimately won the Republican nomination and second term as president. Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2025 Poilievre — whose populist rhetoric has drawn comparisons to Trump — has also repudiated the U.S. president, despite having embraced some of his policies in the past, according to Politico. Brendan Rascius, Miami Herald, 7 Apr. 2025 Yes: The programs DOGE is repudiating meet justifications for government economic activity. Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 30 Mar. 2025 In order to recover their standing and regain lasting relevance as an electorally feasible national political party, Democrats are going to have to repudiate the entirety of their post-2008/post-Obama cultural legacy. Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for repudiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repudiate
Verb
  • At the very least, there’s no denying that Stewart has artistic conviction.
    Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 23 May 2025
  • The Boise City Council denied that appeal in April in a 4-1 vote, with Council Member Luci Willits the lone dissenter.
    Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 23 May 2025
Verb
  • Related Stories Sonja Morgan Banned from N.Y.C. Hotspot After Walking Out on $1,000 Bill Sonja Morgan Speaks Out After Leaving Restaurant in Ambulance On May 10, Morgan allegedly refused to pay her $1000 bill at Tucci, an upscale restaurant in the Noho neighborhood of Manhattan.
    Liza Esquibias, People.com, 20 May 2025
  • For more than a decade, Cox has refused to carry SportsNet LA because of its high cost.
    Ryan Faughnder, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • On May 16, Brown appeared in Manchester Magistrates’ Court, where Judge Joanne Hirst rejected his bail request.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 18 May 2025
  • To compound the embarrassment, Arsenal fan group Ashburton Army had raised more than £12,000 to fund their own tifo, which the club rejected (fans who had donated were refunded their money).
    Tim Spiers, New York Times, 18 May 2025
Verb
  • Martin withdrew from consideration for the post that requires Senate confirmation and Trump named him to a Justice Department post instead.
    Bart Jansen, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • Fisher Scientific withdrew its full-year profit forecast while the medical equipment maker expects to take a $400 million hit in sales to China, as Trump’s tariffs would likely raise the cost of parts the company sources in China.
    Ty Roush, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • But defense attorney Getting never called his own fire expert to refute any of that.
    Erin Moriarty, CBS News, 20 May 2025
  • But rather than refute Mische’s analysis, the administration has been planting suggestions that Mische is employed by Saudi Arabia, even though his advice to that nation ended years ago.
    Dan Walters, Mercury News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • Citigroup, Bank of America and Wells Fargo declined to comment on the WSJ report.
    John Bacon, USA Today, 26 May 2025
  • The State Department declined to comment on the pope’s status.
    Russ Bynum, Chicago Tribune, 25 May 2025
Verb
  • In her announcement, Dhillon said the department would retract accusations made under the Biden administration that the departments violated either Floyd’s or Taylor’s constitutional rights.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 22 May 2025
  • Startling cell phone video shows a first responder on a ladder trying to help victims when the extended top half of the ladder appears to retract as the victim comes tumbling out of the widow.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 20 May 2025
Verb
  • The handsome and charismatic Lord Edward Fitzgerald, an Anglican son of a duke, renounced his title and commanded the society’s militia.
    Joseph Patrick Kelly, The Conversation, 20 May 2025
  • Saxon is all about getting off, and Piper (Sarah Catherine Hook) is renouncing the materialistic.
    Dory Jackson, People.com, 5 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Repudiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repudiate. Accessed 29 May. 2025.

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