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
• veto
• pass up
• 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
• foreswear
• 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
• okay
• acceptance
• consent
• permission
• sanction
• leave
• agreement
• license
• clearance
• assent
• accession
• authorization
• acquiescence
• OK
• concurrence
• seal
• signature
• licence
• 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

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of spurn

Noun

Gone is Soto, who spurned the Yankees – and lightly flirted with the Dodgers – before signing a record-setting contract with the Mets. —Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 29 May 2025

But Williams, egged on by his father, is described in American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback by ESPN journalist Seth Wickersham as entertaining creative ways to spurn the team that held the No. 1 pick in the 2024 draft. —Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025

Does the bride-to-be who spurns a line of unappealing suitors represent a Ukraine facing difficult choices? —Howard Lafranchi, Christian Science Monitor, 29 Apr. 2025

But the Blades spurned several chances to put the game beyond Sunderland’s reach and the Black Cats equalized in the 76th minute as Eliezer Mayenda rifled the ball into the net. —Issy Ronald, CNN Money, 24 May 2025