spurn 1 of 2

spurn

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noun

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of spurn are decline, refuse, reject, and repudiate. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

Where would decline be a reasonable alternative to spurn?

In some situations, the words decline and spurn are roughly equivalent. However, decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When could refuse be used to replace spurn?

The words refuse and spurn are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

When would reject be a good substitute for spurn?

The synonyms reject and spurn are sometimes interchangeable, but reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When might repudiate be a better fit than spurn?

The meanings of repudiate and spurn largely overlap; however, repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

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 spurn
Verb
Cece spurns life with a Los Angeles anesthesiologist named Charlie and throws her lot in with Garrett, a depressive baggage handler who lives in Salish, Montana, where Charlie’s parents own a vacation home. The New Yorker, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2025 After spurning interest from clubs in the Saudi Pro League last summer, Alisson has made a huge contribution to Liverpool’s title triumph and is going nowhere. James Pearce, New York Times, 2 May 2025 Trump replied by blaming Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022 on Ukraine’s desire to join NATO, even though NATO had spurned the country’s entry for almost two decades. Stuart Anderson, Forbes.com, 27 Apr. 2025 Already in a precarious position with their defensive line, the Dolphins’ outlook at the position grew even more worrisome Tuesday when Calais Campbell spurned Miami and accepted a one-year, $5.5 million deal with the Arizona Cardinals. Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for spurn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurn
Verb
  • When one player refused and wanted to take a photo of the statement, the player was allegedly denied a chance and warned ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi would find out about his response.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 8 May 2025
  • Both have also been vocally critical of giving more military and financial assistance to Ukraine and have previously threatened refused to back the EU’s regular extensions of sanctions against Russia.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 8 May 2025
Noun
  • In a recent Times/Siena poll, some of Mr. Trump’s supporters said his refusal to follow norms is part of his appeal.
    Natalie Proulx, New York Times, 1 May 2025
  • Despite constantly criticizing the Probation Department’s handling of the halls, all five members of the L.A. County Board of Supervisors supported Viera Rosa’s refusal to close Los Padrinos last year.
    James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 1 May 2025
Verb
  • Shirley has discovered that Conrad was rejected for a job at UNIT eight years ago.
    Jennifer Zhan, Vulture, 3 May 2025
  • The judge has now said that’s not good enough, and rejected Bungie’s motion to dismiss.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 3 May 2025
Verb
  • While the cost of groceries, on average, declined, the report found the price of dining out got more expensive and is up about 4% from the past year.
    Rachel Barber, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Rea had become a free agent when the Brewers declined their $5.5 million option for this year, deciding to instead pay him a $1 million buyout.
    Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • The full skirt and tailored jacket were a repudiation of the war's utilitarian styles and an embrace of extravagance. 20 of 20 Nicole Scherzinger Newly minted Tony nominee Nicole Scherzinger brought Old Hollywood glamour and drama to the carpet with her tailored and bedazzled pinstripe gown.
    Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 6 May 2025
  • The move to publish the arbitration filing is one of Meta’s most forceful public repudiations of a former employee’s tell-all memoir, several of which have been published over the past two decades.
    Mike Isaac, New York Times, 17 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Larger than life, his creation repulses and torments him, and Victor spends the rest of his life both running from it and trying to destroy it.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The optical, stop-motion, and puppetry effects alone should make Brain Damage a priority on your watchlist, but Henenlotter’s film excites and repulses on a deeper level.
    Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Spurn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurn. Accessed 19 May. 2025.

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