Synonyms of spurn

spurn 1 of 2

verb

ˈspərn 

as in to refuse

to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refuse
• reject
• decline
• ignore
• deny
• pass
• avoid
• dismiss
• withdraw
• disapprove
• repudiate
• forbid
• veto
• pass up
• throw over
• dispute
• turn down
• deselect
• balk (at)
• throw out
• nix
• reprobate
• negative
• rebuff
• scorn
• overrule
• disdain
• renounce
• prohibit
• proscribe
• forswear
• forbear
• disavow
• retract
• scout
• revoke
• foreswear
• abjure
• gainsay
• turn one's back on
• blow off
• contradict
• shoot down
• refrain (from)
• recant
• refute
• disown
• disclaim
• recall
• abstain (from)
• stick
• take back
• bypass
• controvert
• negate
• renege
• disprove
• disallow
• unsay
• rebut
• disagree (with)
• detour
• backtrack
• back down
• back off

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• accept
• approve
• agree (to)
• receive
• tolerate
• take
• adopt
• swallow
• embrace
• condone
• welcome
• acquiesce
• countenance
• agree
• accede
• choose
• select
• consent
• assent
• support
• espouse
• handpick

spurn

2 of 2

noun

as in refusal

Synonyms & Similar Words

• refusal
• rebuff
• repudiation
• repulse
• rejection
• denial
• no
• declination
• veto
• nonacceptance
• injunction
• nay
• disallowance
• ban
• turndown
• suppression
• discouragement
• repression
• negative
• deterrence

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• grant
• approval
• allowance
• okay
• acceptance
• consent
• permission
• sanction
• leave
• agreement
• license
• clearance
• assent
• accession
• authorization
• acquiescence
• OK
• concurrence
• seal
• signature
• licence
• stamp
• sufferance
• imprimatur

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

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