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
• pass up
• veto
• 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
• 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

Related Words

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

Dissimilar Words

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

Nearly a decade ago, a city task force spurned proposals to ease those restrictions to foster housing development north of Fifth along Washington, said Mooney, who is retiring from the city effective July 31. — Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 22 July 2026

And many of the best and brightest scientists and researchers spurned by America are going to other countries and are hired by businesses abroad that compete with our own—including, as Lee anticipated, China. — Robert Hormats, Time, 4 July 2026

Beulah's spurned heir Joaquin (Juan Pablo Raba) calls up the mysterious Mariana (Raoul Max Trujillo) to help with his many problems, which include his ranch-usurping half-brother Rob-Will and those Duttons from Montana. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 3 July 2026

Labour spurned the chance to tell a positive story about the need to hike taxes to mend Britain’s public services, gutted by years of Conservative austerity. — Christian Edwards, CNN Money, 22 June 2026