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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to spurn
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
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
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
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
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
-
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
-
The result is a drama of surprising universality, in which a well-to-do couple becomes the target of unjust dismissals and persecution for political wrongthink against the Turkish regime.—
Siddhant Adlakha,
Variety,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Trump's post calling for new talks Thursday appeared to spurn the extension.—
Chris Boccia,
ABC News,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Kaoru Mitoma also spurned a good opportunity in the opening quarter of the contest, slotting wide of the far post after exchanging passes with Welbeck.—
Andy Naylor,
New York Times,
2 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Woodson feels the leak of Belichick’s snub took away from those guys’ moment.—
Nate Sanchez,
Dallas Morning News,
10 Feb. 2026
-
And leaving can be a natural response to such a snub.—
Claire Zillman,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
If Damsky returns to law school, some classmates will treat him as a social pariah who deserves scorn.—
Conor Friedersdorf,
The Atlantic,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Like a lot of messy divorces, this started with a wandering eye, a lover scorned and boils down to the money.—
Dana O’Neil,
CNN Money,
21 Jan. 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
-
Krikorian said a more traditional law enforcement approach should trade street sweeps for a greater focus on worksite enforcement – something Homan has advocated for, but which Trump disdains.—
Trevor Hughes,
USA Today,
7 Feb. 2026
-
White supremacy, which is very much alive in the land — turn on the news — disdains every people of color.—
Robert Lloyd,
Twin Cities,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
People who have taken corticosteroid medicines for conditions like seizures, gastric reflux, cancer and transplant rejection are more susceptible, as are those with celiac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney or liver disease, multiple myeloma and rheumatoid arthritis.—
Angelica Stabile,
FOXNews.com,
7 Feb. 2026
-
That is usually a sign of imminent death for a bill, and most legislators prefer to avoid the humiliation of public rejection.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
7 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Zelenskyy previously stressed that the timing and format of any elections are matters solely for Ukraine and its citizens, rejecting any suggestion that the Kremlin could dictate the process.—
Ashley Carnahan,
FOXNews.com,
11 Feb. 2026
-
The council also rejected, narrowly, a flat 2% increase suggested by Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez in a 7-8 vote.—
Sandra McDonald,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rebuff. Accessed 14 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
