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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
After Kliff Kingsbury shockingly spurned USC to become the head coach of the Arizona Cardinals, McCoy transferred to the University of Texas. Noah Camras, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 May 2025 Ukraine has offered a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire, which Moscow has effectively rejected by imposing far-reaching conditions, and Zelenskyy proposed a face-to-face meeting with Putin last week but the Russian leader spurned that offer. Yehor Konovalov, Chicago Tribune, 20 May 2025 Ukraine has offered a comprehensive 30-day ceasefire, which Moscow has in effect rejected by imposing far-reaching conditions, and Zelensky proposed a face-to-face meeting with Putin last week but the Russian leader spurned that offer. Illia Novikov, Los Angeles Times, 20 May 2025 Remember: Vrabel wined and dined with the Jets before spurning them for New England. Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for spurn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurn
Verb
  • Wyatt, the senior ace on his way to Michigan, and Walker, the gritty junior second baseman who refused to give up on his dream of starting, paused when trying to wrap their heads around the scene unfolding around them.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 31 May 2025
  • Indian officials had previously refused to confirm even a single aircraft loss.
    Billy Stockwell, CNN Money, 31 May 2025
Noun
  • Despite battlefield advances, Putin has reportedly agreed in principle to begin drafting a peace framework following a two-hour call with U.S. President Donald Trump, who has voiced frustration over Putin’s refusal to engage with Kyiv directly and recent large-scale Russian attacks.
    Katya Soldak, Forbes.com, 31 May 2025
  • That image, and Hawley’s subsequent refusal to certify the results of the Electoral College, would permanently tarnish his reputation, many observers thought at the time.
    Eyal Press, New Yorker, 30 May 2025
Verb
  • But judges reviewing other eligibility cases have rejected this interpretation as construing Alston beyond its actual words.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 10 June 2025
  • The Dolphins have maintained contact with veteran free agent cornerback Rasul Douglas, who rejected a Miami offer earlier this month.
    Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 June 2025
Verb
  • The April 11 ruling came during a hearing in Maryland, where a Justice Department attorney declined to provide basic details about Abrego Garcia’s whereabouts.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 7 June 2025
  • Full-time workers declined by 623,000, while part-timers rose by 33,000.
    Jeff Cox, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Vance’s argument—that judges are not simply treading on the President’s constitutional authority but actively frustrating the will of the electorate—is, at bottom, a repudiation of the constitutional structure.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 25 May 2025
  • But in a swing that appeared to be a repudiation of Simion’s skeptical approach to the EU, which Romania joined in 2007, Dan gained almost 900,000 more votes to solidly defeat his opponent in the final round.
    Stephen McGrath, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 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 15 Jun. 2025.

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