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
Noun
Ford canceled one family of EVs, then spurned its traditional engineering structure and staff to develop others. Mark Phelan, USA Today, 15 Aug. 2025 Shortly after spurning his conjugal love tent vehicle, Colby received a call from Pontiac with a proposition. EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025 Ford canceled one family of EVs, then spurned its traditional engineering structure and staff to develop others. Mark Phelan, Freep.com, 10 Aug. 2025 Democrats are hopeful that Cooper will not follow the lead of numerous governors over the past decade who have spurned bids for the upper chamber. Al Weaver, The Hill, 1 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for spurn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurn
Verb
  • Anisimova dialed in, desperately refusing to give Osaka any openings.
    Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
  • The airline reserves the right to refuse transportation to plus-size passengers who cannot be safely accommodated.
    Zach Wichter, USA Today, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • This isn’t to say that this refusal is a good thing; many haven’t rejected these aspects of the American Dream by choice.
    Alice Lassman, Time, 8 Sep. 2025
  • According to de Veer, the refusal of his request to include his extended version of the theme that included the popular motif later in the show was one of the main sources of contention during the making of Season 3.
    Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Several world leaders have already rejected the plan and insisted that the only solution is the creation of a Palestinian state once Hamas hands over the hostages and a new Palestinian government takes over.
    Michele Chabin, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025
  • Shi seemed confident that Strand Larsen, who was keen to join Newcastle United before the deadline, will knuckle down despite Wolves rejecting two bids.
    Steve Madeley, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • There was a unilateral rebuff toward the idea that the industry is experiencing a drummer shortage in general.
    Devon Ivie, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • Burberry's share price has fallen sharply over recent years, declining almost 80% from April 2023 to September 2024, as waning sales and a slew of management changes exacerbated a wider luxury downturn.
    Karen Gilchrist, CNBC, 4 Sep. 2025
  • Morris and his attorneys declined comment.
    Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • If Helmy finds in the Party the kind of fellowship and outlet for his energies that a good career might otherwise have satisfied, Erich embraces his new identity with a snarling brutality that is a repudiation of his former sense of humiliation.
    Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 19 Aug. 2025
  • And to be fair, most of the departures weren’t a repudiation of Amador’s appointment.
    David Lyman, The Enquirer, 7 Aug. 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 11 Sep. 2025.

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