spurn 1 of 2

verb

ˈspərn How to pronounce spurn (audio)
Definition of spurnnext
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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

spurn

2 of 2

noun

as in refusal

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

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

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 spurn
Verb
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 Braddy’s motive, Rifkin said, was that he was spurned by Maycock, who had repeatedly rejected his advances. —Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 30 Jan. 2026 Less than 24 hours after Tucker spurned the Mets, the team pivoted to Bo Bichette, bringing him in on a three-year deal worth $126 million. —Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 23 Jan. 2026 Bo Bichette spurning the Phillies for the NL East rival New York Mets was akin to a gut punch for the NL East champions. —CBS News, 20 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for spurn
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurn
  1. refuse
  2. refusal
  3. reject
  4. rebuff
  5. decline
  6. repudiation
  7. repulse
Verb
  • Protesters stood in front of the main gate and refused to leave.
    — Michael Collins, USA Today, 11 Feb. 2026
  • If at a certain point the person refuses to cooperate, recruiters resort to blackmail, Andriy said, threatening to hand over the correspondence to the SBU.
    — Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN Money, 11 Feb. 2026
Definition of refuse
Noun
  • The tension in Hines’s version lies in Bessette’s refusal to conform to the role.
    — Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026
  • And six in 10 view Republicans’ refusal to accept changes requested by Democrats negatively.
    — Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 13 Feb. 2026
Definition of refusal
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
Definition of reject
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
Definition of rebuff
Verb
  • The driver and bicyclist declined to be transported to the hospital, according to officials.
    — David Zimmermann, The Washington Examiner, 6 Feb. 2026
  • The sheriff declined to answer several questions, including one from a reporter who asked if there was a ransom demanded.
    — Adam Sabes , Michael Ruiz , Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 5 Feb. 2026
Definition of decline
Noun
  • This statement, which the central bank posted on its website, amounted to an unprecedented repudiation of a President by a sitting Fed chair.
    — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 15 Jan. 2026
  • But the result in Canton has been the same as in Quincy — an utter repudiation of the tawdry good-old-boy crew.
    — Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 14 Jan. 2026
Definition of repudiation
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
Definition of repulse

Browse Nearby Words

spuriousness
spurn
spurned
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Spurn.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurn. Accessed 17 Feb. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of spurn for Spanish Speakers

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