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

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

In a case of serious schadenfreude, the player left on the Carolina trash heap earned most outstanding player honors, courtesy of 19 points, two assists and one turnover, on the same day that his old school finally found a new head coach – having been spurned by, among others, his current coach. —Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 7 Apr. 2026

According to the student paper, Welsh became extremely popular and spurned the advances of the men on campus. —Patrick Salland, Kansas City Star, 7 Apr. 2026

Waning support for Israel, and increasingly bipartisan disapproval of the war in Iran, has loomed large over the primary elections, with candidates increasingly spurning the support of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and sharpening their criticism of the country. —Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026

Against Fulham, Ola Aina was only denied by the bar, Dan Ndoye had a goal chalked off for possibly the tightest VAR call that has been conjured up yet and Taiwo Awoniyi and Elliot Anderson spurned decent chances. —Paul Taylor, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2026