as in rejecting
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
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 spurning
When Channing falls head-over-heels for the charismatic Minjae, spurning the overtures of an aggressive local politician, Dahee rallies to her side; both women become ensnared in a beachside town’s blood feuds and class conflicts, danger circling like gulls.
—
Hamilton Cain, Time, 4 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
The application will test an agency that has promised to speed new gene-editing treatments to patients but has recently come under scrutiny from regulators, executives, and advocates for spurning a string of gene therapies for neurological diseases.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 3 Mar. 2026
Leeds kept pushing, and kept winning the ball back, but for a good half-hour, City kept trying regardless, spurning the opportunity to go long to Antoine Semenyo, who looks a capable target man, but is no Haaland (nobody is).
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Bo Bichette spurning the Phillies for the NL East rival New York Mets was akin to a gut punch for the NL East champions.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
After a lengthy standoff, Lane Kiffin finally made a decision on his coaching future by spurning the Ole Miss Rebels and a shot at a national title for the LSU Tigers.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
People Magazine, spurning millions of sexy dead people, has once again chosen a Sexiest Man Alive.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
After spurning offers from such interested parties as maitre d’ Craig Susser — who opened his own namesake restaurant in 2011 — Tana sold Dan Tana’s in 2009 to friend Sonja Perencevic, who still runs it.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Hamilton Cain, Time, 4 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
The application will test an agency that has promised to speed new gene-editing treatments to patients but has recently come under scrutiny from regulators, executives, and advocates for spurning a string of gene therapies for neurological diseases.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 3 Mar. 2026
Leeds kept pushing, and kept winning the ball back, but for a good half-hour, City kept trying regardless, spurning the opportunity to go long to Antoine Semenyo, who looks a capable target man, but is no Haaland (nobody is).
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
Bo Bichette spurning the Phillies for the NL East rival New York Mets was akin to a gut punch for the NL East champions.
—CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026
After a lengthy standoff, Lane Kiffin finally made a decision on his coaching future by spurning the Ole Miss Rebels and a shot at a national title for the LSU Tigers.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
People Magazine, spurning millions of sexy dead people, has once again chosen a Sexiest Man Alive.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
After spurning offers from such interested parties as maitre d’ Craig Susser — who opened his own namesake restaurant in 2011 — Tana sold Dan Tana’s in 2009 to friend Sonja Perencevic, who still runs it.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurning
Verb
-
After initially rejecting a sanctuary city designation and related proposals, the council later adopted a broader resolution aimed at protecting immigrant communities.—
Teresa Liu,
Daily News,
29 May 2026
-
The act also is seen as a symbol of rejecting evil and a commemoration of the Prophet Ibrahim’s rejection of temptation when the devil tried to dissuade him from submitting to God’s will.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 May 2026
Verb
-
New York Knicks owner James Dolan is refusing to let go of his grudge against Charles Oakley, even with the franchise back in the NBA Finals for the first time in 27 years.—
Alejandro Avila OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
-
He was stripped of his heavyweight title and sentenced to a five-year prison term for refusing induction into the military (the Supreme Court unanimously overturned Ali’s conviction on appeal).—
Michael Cunningham,
AJC.com,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
Writers and reporters at the conference are learning how to improve their coverage of topics, including changes to education at the federal and state levels, the use of artificial intelligence in schools, and declining enrollment.—
Kellye Lynn,
CBS News,
4 June 2026
-
As Hartford education officials work to mitigate a large budget deficit, a report from an outside firm The Connecticut State Department of Education hired to review Hartford Public Schools’ financials found that declining enrollment and decisions regarding salaries and hiring are to blame.—
Livi Stanford,
Hartford Courant,
4 June 2026
Verb
-
That’s how Ciara found out that Amanda was spending so much time at West’s house while ignoring her calls.—
Brian Moylan,
Vulture,
3 June 2026
-
Other Democrats argued that the plan does nothing for renters and noted that Republicans were ignoring high homeowners insurance rates, which are causing financial stress to more people.—
Lawrence Mower,
Miami Herald,
2 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurning. Accessed 7 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
