as in rejecting
to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to
fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help
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Recent Examples of spurning
Waning support for Israel, and increasingly bipartisan disapproval of the war in Iran, has loomed large over the primary elections, with candidates increasingly spurning the support of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and sharpening their criticism of the country.
—
Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
The application will test an agency that has promised to speed new gene-editing treatments to patients but has recently come under scrutiny from regulators, executives, and advocates for spurning a string of gene therapies for neurological diseases.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 3 Mar. 2026
Leeds kept pushing, and kept winning the ball back, but for a good half-hour, City kept trying regardless, spurning the opportunity to go long to Antoine Semenyo, who looks a capable target man, but is no Haaland (nobody is).
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 2 Mar. 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
After a lengthy standoff, Lane Kiffin finally made a decision on his coaching future by spurning the Ole Miss Rebels and a shot at a national title for the LSU Tigers.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
People Magazine, spurning millions of sexy dead people, has once again chosen a Sexiest Man Alive.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
After spurning offers from such interested parties as maitre d’ Craig Susser — who opened his own namesake restaurant in 2011 — Tana sold Dan Tana’s in 2009 to friend Sonja Perencevic, who still runs it.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Shortly after spurning his conjugal love tent vehicle, Colby received a call from Pontiac with a proposition.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Grace Gilson, Sun Sentinel, 23 Mar. 2026
The application will test an agency that has promised to speed new gene-editing treatments to patients but has recently come under scrutiny from regulators, executives, and advocates for spurning a string of gene therapies for neurological diseases.
—Jason Mast, STAT, 3 Mar. 2026
Leeds kept pushing, and kept winning the ball back, but for a good half-hour, City kept trying regardless, spurning the opportunity to go long to Antoine Semenyo, who looks a capable target man, but is no Haaland (nobody is).
—Sam Lee, New York Times, 2 Mar. 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
After a lengthy standoff, Lane Kiffin finally made a decision on his coaching future by spurning the Ole Miss Rebels and a shot at a national title for the LSU Tigers.
—Andrew McCarty, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Dec. 2025
People Magazine, spurning millions of sexy dead people, has once again chosen a Sexiest Man Alive.
—Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
After spurning offers from such interested parties as maitre d’ Craig Susser — who opened his own namesake restaurant in 2011 — Tana sold Dan Tana’s in 2009 to friend Sonja Perencevic, who still runs it.
—Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 2025
Shortly after spurning his conjugal love tent vehicle, Colby received a call from Pontiac with a proposition.
—EW.com, 13 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for spurning
Verb
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The same year, an appeals court said a lawsuit against Snapchat over a speed filter feature involved in deadly car crashes could proceed, rejecting the company's argument that the case should be thrown out on Section 230 grounds.—
Shannon Bond,
NPR,
3 Apr. 2026
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Union leaders said negotiations have stalled for months, and are accusing BP of rejecting their proposals on jobs, pay, and safety.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
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In addition to the DUI, Woods faces additional charges for refusing the urine test.—
Emily Mae Czachor,
CBS News,
3 Apr. 2026
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He was jailed on a count of DUI after refusing to take a urine test, which carries an additional charge.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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European luxury is entering a high-stakes first-quarter reporting period as sentiment has taken a decisive hit, just as many of the sector's big names were nearing a turning point after years of declining sales.—
Elsa Ohlen,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
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The Royal Navy has shrunk dramatically since the Cold War ended, with combat-ready ships declining from 166 in 1975 to 66 in 2025, following decades of military spending cuts.—
Pan Pylas,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Some Democrats argue that the cost of ignoring young male voters is higher than the risk of association with Piker.—
Jesus Mesa,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2026
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But here’s the thing — ignoring your gutters is one of the fastest ways to turn a free weekend project into a budget-wrecking emergency repair.—
Lauren Jarvis-Gibson,
Miami Herald,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Spurning.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/spurning. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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