rebuff
a blunt or abrupt rejection, as of a person making advances.
a peremptory refusal of a request, offer, etc.; snub.
a check to action or progress.
to give a rebuff to; check; repel; refuse; drive away.
Origin of rebuff
1Other words for rebuff
Other words from rebuff
- re·buff·a·ble, adjective
- re·buff·a·bly, adverb
- un·re·buff·a·ble, adjective
- un·re·buffed, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use rebuff in a sentence
He rebuffed calls to institute the death penalty, and his last term as governor ended in his defeat.
Mario Cuomo, a Frustrating Hero to Democrats, Is Dead at 82 | Eleanor Clift | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTMembers of the Syrian moderate opposition want to coordinate on airstrikes, but say they have been rebuffed.
U.S. Hasn’t Even Started Training Rebel Army to Fight ISIS | Tim Mak | November 25, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe offered $80 billion for Time Warner, but Rupert Murdoch was rebuffed.
Don’t Count Rupert Murdoch Out Yet: Why The Magnate Hasn’t Given Up on Time Warner | Daniel Gross | July 16, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTMaliki has asked Obama since November for air strikes inside his country, but Obama has rebuffed those requests until this week.
Groups backed by the Koch network in several other states have also been rebuffed in their drives against renewables.
Koch Brothers Unveil New Strategy at Big Donor Retreat | Peter Stone | June 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
He was so easily rebuffed, and she was so reluctant to rebuff him.
A Houseful of Girls | Sarah TytlerMadge felt slightly rebuffed and immediately changed the subject to the one foremost in her mind.
The Missing Formula | Mildred A. Wirt, AKA Ann WirtBut what her altered looks called forth of sympathy, her reticent manner either held at bay or ruthlessly rebuffed.
The Open Question | Elizabeth RobinsThe rebuffed male resumes his post as a watcher in the sun; and the housewife stows her provisions.
More Hunting Wasps | J. Henri Fabre"No, no, but I naturally wanted to come and—" She stopped, feeling too chilled and rebuffed to say more.
The Open Question | Elizabeth Robins
British Dictionary definitions for rebuff
/ (rɪˈbʌf) /
to snub, reject, or refuse (a person offering help or sympathy, an offer of help, etc) abruptly or out of hand
to beat back (an attack); repel
a blunt refusal or rejection; snub
any sudden check to progress or action
Origin of rebuff
1Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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