repudiate

[ ri-pyoo-dee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·pu·di·at·ed, re·pu·di·at·ing.

1. to reject as having no authority or binding force:

   to repudiate a claim.

   Synonyms: disclaim, discard, disavow

   Antonyms: accept

2. to cast off or disown:

   to repudiate a son.

3. to reject with disapproval or condemnation:

   to repudiate a new doctrine.

   Synonyms: disapprove, condemn, disown, renounce

   Antonyms: approve

4. to reject with denial:

   to repudiate a charge as untrue.

5. to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality, etc.

repudiate

/ rɪˈpjuːdɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to reject the authority or validity of; refuse to accept or ratify

   Congress repudiated the treaty that the President had negotiated

2. to refuse to acknowledge or pay (a debt)
3. to cast off or disown (a son, lover, etc)

Derived Forms

• reˈpudiable, adjective
• reˈpudiative, adjective
• reˌpudiˈation, noun
• reˈpudiˌator, noun

Other Words From

• re·pudi·a·ble adjective
• re·pudi·ative adjective
• re·pudi·ator noun
• nonre·pudi·a·ble adjective
• nonre·pudi·ative adjective
• unre·pudi·a·ble adjective
• unre·pudi·ated adjective
• unre·pudi·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repudiate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin repudiātus (past participle of repudiāre “to reject, refuse”), equivalent to repudi(um) “a casting off, divorce” ( re- + pud(ere) “to make ashamed, feel shame” + -ium noun suffix ) + -ātus past participle sufffix; re-, pudendum, -ium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repudiate¹

C16: from Latin repudiāre to put away, from repudium a separation, divorce, from re- + pudēre to be ashamed

Example Sentences

The testimony included that of two defendants, Salaam and Wise, who took the stand to repudiate their confessions.

From The Daily Beast

But the U.S. could work with Yeltsin—though he chose a successor who would ‘repudiate his legacy.’

From The Daily Beast

Would they commit an act of courage that would repudiate 60 years of German war crimes decisions?

From The Daily Beast

Canada must repudiate extremism on both sides of the conflict.

From The Daily Beast

Not only do I not classify myself as a birther, I specifically repudiate the birther thesis with two books and the film.

From The Daily Beast

My teacher—the author of the Kriegswissenschaft—the ideal revolutionist—he to denounce me, to repudiate propaganda by deed?

From Project Gutenberg

But thou, O my Provence, bePg 195 not disturbed about the sons that disown thee and repudiate thy speech.

From Project Gutenberg

He is not called to repudiate idolatry, but by divine command to go to an unknown country.

From Project Gutenberg

It often happens that the people are too ready to follow the demagogue and to repudiate and ridicule the honest reformer.

From Project Gutenberg

Mrs. Brookenham's failure to repudiate the vision appeared to suffice, and her visitor cheerfully took a further jump.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• abandon
• break with
• disavow
• dismiss
• disown
• forsake
• recant
• renounce
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• spurn