rebuff 1 of 2

Definition of rebuffnext
as in dismissal
treatment that is deliberately unfriendly took her rebuff in stride, and still greeted her cousin with a friendly smile the next time they met

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

rebuff

2 of 2

verb

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 rebuff
Noun
The latest rebuff of state overreach was the dismissal last week of the highly questionable felony case against respected Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly brought by the Lake County State’s Attorney’s Office. Charles Selle, Chicago Tribune, 13 Feb. 2026 Braced by that humiliating rebuff, the Service wasted no time in getting serious and rallying around reform. Craig Hooper, Forbes.com, 8 Jan. 2026
Verb
The corrupt state judiciary will continue to rebuff the attempts of state Auditor Diana DiZoglio to audit the corrupt state Legislature. Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 31 Dec. 2025 Even the rest of the old-schoolers seem oddly content with the new harmonious state of the world and rebuff Carol’s efforts to mobilize. Brian Davids, HollywoodReporter, 7 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rebuff
Noun
  • Hall heard oral arguments for the dismissal in April and has yet to issue a ruling.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2026
  • At dismissal, Fridley Middle’s teachers and many support staff put on their jackets, scarves and gloves and walked outside.
    Jourdan Rodrigue, New York Times, 28 May 2026
Verb
  • Salome, spurned by Jokanaan’s rejection, agrees.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 May 2026
  • With his plans to cap his college partners at 30, Davis contends that those that spurned Avo’s advances will eventually come to regret it.
    Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 May 2026
Noun
  • For many, two key snubs for Mauricio Pochettino’s first World Cup roster were in the midfield, as Diego Luna and Tanner Tessman weren’t among the 26 men on the stage at Pier 17.
    Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 May 2026
  • James Harden was an All-Star snub and changed teams for the fourth time in six seasons.
    Law Murray, New York Times, 21 May 2026
Verb
  • Those who believed in finvenkismo scorned Raŭmismo.
    Katie Thornton, Harpers Magazine, 26 May 2026
  • Aronimink has drawn both praise and scorn this week.
    Chris Branch, New York Times, 14 May 2026
Noun
  • Larger than life, his creation repulses and torments him, and Victor spends the rest of his life both running from it and trying to destroy it.
    Ann Kowal Smith, Forbes, 16 Dec. 2024
  • The optical, stop-motion, and puppetry effects alone should make Brain Damage a priority on your watchlist, but Henenlotter’s film excites and repulses on a deeper level.
    Rory Doherty, Vulture, 19 Sep. 2024
Verb
  • At his behest Aurangzeb—who disdained poetry—sent agents across India and Persia to assemble a literary circle befitting her.
    Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Apr. 2026
  • In Sondheim’s body of work, Okrent searches for the autobiographical resonances that Sondheim himself mostly disdained.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • The part purportedly written by Vazquez mentions years of ridicule and rejection — one of the few full sentences of his written in all caps.
    Teri Figueroa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 May 2026
  • Republicans hailed the rejection of the gas tax increase after it was trounced by voters.
    Claire Rush, Fortune, 23 May 2026
Verb
  • The court rejected Florida’s complaint that those states allow undocumented immigrants who lack training and are not proficient in English to drive commercial trucks.
    Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 26 May 2026
  • Earlier this year, YouTube content creator Markiplier self-distributed his horror movie Iron Lung after numerous studios and distributors had rejected the project.
    Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 26 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuff. Accessed 30 May. 2026.

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