1
as in denying
to be unwilling to grant
rejected his request for time off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refuting
to declare not to be true
I reject the claim that I have ever lied about that
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discarding
to get rid of as useless or unwanted
sorted through the nuts and rejected any that had cracked shells or were shattered
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in refusing
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
rejected his marriage proposal
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 rejecting
In Gingles’ apartment, investigators found a letter from the DMV in Texas, dated less than two weeks before the murders, rejecting an application for a Texas certificate of title for a vehicle.
—
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Even Republican districts are rejecting the rapid buildout of ICE detention facilities in their communities.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
That means rejecting political brinkmanship, pushing for transparency and working across differences to deliver a budget on time that meets the real needs of North Carolina families.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Not in crushing debt, but in rejecting American culture’s pervasive backward slide into premodern flimflam.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Virtually every election cycle sees at least one special interest duel, such as the 2022 battle between casino-owning tribes and sports wagering firms over whether California should allow betting on athletic events, which resulted in voters rejecting both competing measures.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Our family photographs depicted us in beauty, power and wholeness, rejecting every image that attempted to relegate us to a stereotype.
—Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Then last week, the agency published on its website the complete response letter detailing the FDA’s reasons for rejecting the drug.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
Shira Moolten, Sun Sentinel, 13 Feb. 2026
Even Republican districts are rejecting the rapid buildout of ICE detention facilities in their communities.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 13 Feb. 2026
That means rejecting political brinkmanship, pushing for transparency and working across differences to deliver a budget on time that meets the real needs of North Carolina families.
—Charlotte Observer, 13 Feb. 2026
Not in crushing debt, but in rejecting American culture’s pervasive backward slide into premodern flimflam.
—Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 13 Feb. 2026
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
Virtually every election cycle sees at least one special interest duel, such as the 2022 battle between casino-owning tribes and sports wagering firms over whether California should allow betting on athletic events, which resulted in voters rejecting both competing measures.
—Dan Walters, Mercury News, 11 Feb. 2026
Our family photographs depicted us in beauty, power and wholeness, rejecting every image that attempted to relegate us to a stereotype.
—Anya Sesay, jsonline.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Then last week, the agency published on its website the complete response letter detailing the FDA’s reasons for rejecting the drug.
—Adam Feuerstein, STAT, 5 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejecting
Verb
-
Authorities are increasingly denying detainees access to legal counsel and often holding them for days or weeks before allowing any phone calls to family.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Decades later, Faraci cooperated with Modrowski’s lawyer during the post-conviction proceedings and submitted two affidavits in 2019 and 2011 denying Modrowski was involved, court records show.—
Christy Gutowski,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
But the company is refuting the claims.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
13 Feb. 2026
-
On Tuesday, Cordero-Stutz’s office issued a statement refuting a recent school system memo that had said there was a deal for the Sheriff’s Office to help process outstanding bus-camera violations that had been issued before last year’s suspension but are currently stalled in court.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
4 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Drain, discarding the soaking liquid.—
The Know,
Denver Post,
24 Jan. 2026
-
Add pork, discarding the excess sauce.—
Gretchen McKay,
Twin Cities,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Most of the time, a child who is shoving at the playground or refusing to take turns with the blocks at daycare is just testing the boundaries of acceptable behavior.—
Melissa Willets,
Parents,
5 Feb. 2026
-
The Clintons agreed to testify later this month after initially refusing and facing a potential contempt vote.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
According to the Iowa Cancer Registry, lung cancer incidence rates are declining slower in Iowa than in other states.—
Cami Koons,
Iowa Capital Dispatch,
5 Feb. 2026
-
Measles-vaccination rates have been steadily declining for several years; since last January, the country has logged its two largest measles epidemics in more than three decades.—
Katherine J. Wu,
The Atlantic,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The California Highway Patrol said the driver was dumping dirt into a nearby construction zone and left the trailer up before crashing.—
Matthew Rodriguez,
CBS News,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Central banks and global investors are dumping dollars and buying gold.—
Paul Wiseman,
Los Angeles Times,
3 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Some readers refuse to join one, stubbornly persisting in flipping to one section and ignoring the rest.—
Becca Rothfeld,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Hustle culture praised women for ignoring their instincts in the name of productivity.—
Kelly Ehlers,
Rolling Stone,
10 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Matthew and Camila McConaughey are ditching traditional Valentine's Day dinner for a pantsless horseback ride.—
Saman Shafiq,
USA Today,
11 Feb. 2026
-
One of Londons most influential figures, Lady Danbury seems determined to focus on herself this year, even considering ditching the rigid expectations of society.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Rejecting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejecting. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
