repudiation

noun

re·​pu·​di·​a·​tion ri-ˌpyü-dē-ˈā-shən 

: the act of repudiating : the state of being repudiated

especially : the refusal of public authorities to acknowledge or pay a debt

repudiationist

ri-ˌpyü-dē-ˈā-sh(ə-)nist 

noun

Synonyms

• contradiction
• denegation
• denial
• disallowance
• disavowal
• disclaimer
• disconfirmation
• negation
• rejection

Examples of repudiation in a Sentence

voters seemed satisfied by the candidate's public repudiation of the beliefs of an organization to which he had briefly belonged as a youth

New Year's resolutions typically include the repudiation of chocolate and other indulgences and the promise to resume working out at the gym.

Recent Examples on the Web

Taken together, the three resignations were a striking repudiation of the Trump administration’s effort to force the dismissal of the charges against the mayor, who has argued that the prosecution was politically motivated. —James Barron, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

This show is a repudiation of that fear, a way for Gulman to talk through how he’s tried to reclaim some confidence, to move past the childhood wound of being unsupported and underestimated. —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 21 Jan. 2025

The decision by President Trump to impose sweeping tariffs on Mexico and Canada is a stark repudiation of his own approach between 2017 and 2020. —Felix Salmon, Axios, 3 Feb. 2025

The thought leaders in the Democratic party are doubling down on their snobbery and condescension while refusing to acknowledge the voters’ repudiation of their entire agenda. —Grace Curley, Boston Herald, 13 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1530, in the meaning defined above

Legal Definition

repudiation

noun

re·​pu·​di·​a·​tion ri-ˌpyü-dē-ˈā-shən 

: the rejection or renunciation of a duty or obligation (as under a contract)

especially : anticipatory repudiation

Note: A party aggrieved by a repudiation may consider a repudiated contract to have been breached and bring an action for relief.