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Synonym Chooser

How is the word repudiate different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of repudiate are decline, refuse, reject, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

When can decline be used instead of repudiate?

The words decline and repudiate can be used in similar contexts, but decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When is it sensible to use refuse instead of repudiate?

While in some cases nearly identical to repudiate, refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

Where would reject be a reasonable alternative to repudiate?

The words reject and repudiate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When is spurn a more appropriate choice than repudiate?

In some situations, the words spurn and repudiate are roughly equivalent. However, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

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 repudiate Chinese officials, however, have repudiated the president’s claims about negotiations and called for an end to unilateral tariffs. Katie Lauer, Mercury News, 24 Apr. 2025 To make, not impose, peace Mr. Trump repeatedly cast himself as a peacemaker but not as a peace-imposer, repudiating his predecessors – Republican and Democratic alike – who sought to remake the Middle East in the West’s image and according to Western values. Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 15 May 2025 Their entire agenda has been totally repudiated by the American people. Heather Hamilton, The Washington Examiner, 11 May 2025 The Justice Department apparently repudiated that position shortly after expressing it, which suggests that all parts of the executive branch weren’t quite working from the same playbook, at least initially, even after that year of internal discussion. Marie Sapirie, Forbes.com, 12 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for repudiate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for repudiate
Verb
  • But the company denies claims that its equipment sparked the 2019 fire, which tore through Sylmar, Porter Ranch and Granada Hills — all suburbs of Los Angeles — burning 8,799 acres.
    Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 28 June 2025
  • To many in the transgender community, the policy also felt like another attack by the current administration to erase them from public spaces and deny their existence.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Glover refused, and Pierce told her to turn around as she was being arrested.
    Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 7 July 2025
  • Molina-Neave was arrested in San Antonio, Texas, in 2006 but refused extradition to Denver.
    Jessica Seaman, Denver Post, 7 July 2025
Verb
  • New York Senator Julia Salazar, who was among the electeds observing hearings Thursday called for New Yorkers to reject what is happening inside lower Manhattan immigration courts.
    Emma Seiwell, New York Daily News, 5 July 2025
  • Last summer, West Ham had a verbal offer of £15m rejected by Al Ittihad for midfielder N’Golo Kante, then 33.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • The result will be an increase in preying on immigrants by the criminal element: robbery, protection scams, sweatshop labor and human trafficking, as the immigrant community withdraws from reliance on no-longer-safe court systems.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 4 July 2025
  • The traffic receded as Chicago withdrew into the distance behind me on Interstate 90.
    Ian Bogost, The Atlantic, 4 July 2025
Verb
  • But DeGeneres ultimately refuted the claims that savaged her career.
    Martha Ross, Mercury News, 23 June 2025
  • The Palestinian activist, who was born in a Syrian refugee camp and holds Algerian citizenship, has refuted those allegations and charges that his criticism of Israeli military activity and advocacy for civilians in Gaza and the West Bank is based on bigotry.
    Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 20 June 2025
Verb
  • LeBron James already opted in to a $52.6 million deal with the Lakers for next season, the Rockets traded for Durant and the Los Angeles Clippers saw James Harden decline his option in return for a new deal and a raise.
    Tim Reynolds, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
  • At the time, Harvard declined to comment on the president’s post.
    Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Trade with Mexico has been robust – and the U.S. deficit with Mexico has swollen as China’s has retracted.
    Ken Roberts, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
  • But at the last moment, as the path between the two structures is retracting, Gi-hun jumps over and begins to fight Myung-gi to the death with the knife he’s had in his possession, as the baby lies off to the side.
    Jennifer Maas, Variety, 27 June 2025
Verb
  • Who’s on Tennessee death row While the Department of Justice has renounced pentobarbital, Tennessee and about a dozen other states are pushing forward with the drug.
    Kelly Puente, The Tennessean, 2 July 2025
  • On Wednesday, Lamont praised Mamdani while noting that Democrats have hardly renounced centrists.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 26 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Repudiate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/repudiate. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on repudiate

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