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Synonyms

reject

American  
[ri-jekt, ree-jekt] / rɪˈdʒɛkt, ˈri dʒɛkt /

verb (used with object)

  1. to refuse to have, take, recognize, etc..

    to reject the offer of a better job.

    Synonyms:
    deny
  2. to refuse to grant (a request, demand, etc.).

    Synonyms:
    deny
  3. to refuse to accept (someone or something); rebuff.

    The other children rejected him. The publisher rejected the author's latest novel.

    Synonyms:
    renounce, repel
  4. to discard as useless or unsatisfactory.

    The mind rejects painful memories.

    Synonyms:
    jettison, eliminate
  5. to cast out or eject; vomit.

  6. to cast out or off.

  7. Medicine/Medical. (of a human or other animal) to have an immunological reaction against (a transplanted organ or grafted tissue).

    If tissue types are not matched properly, a patient undergoing a transplant will reject the graft.


noun

  1. something rejected, as an imperfect article.

    Synonyms:
    second
reject British  

verb

  1. to refuse to accept, acknowledge, use, believe, etc

  2. to throw out as useless or worthless; discard

  3. to rebuff (a person)

  4. (of an organism) to fail to accept (a foreign tissue graft or organ transplant) because of immunological incompatibility

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. something rejected as imperfect, unsatisfactory, or useless

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See refuse 1.

Other Word Forms

  • prereject verb (used with object)
  • quasi-rejected adjective
  • rejectable adjective
  • rejecter noun
  • rejection noun
  • rejective adjective
  • unrejectable adjective
  • unrejected adjective
  • unrejective adjective

Etymology

Origin of reject

First recorded in 1485–95; (verb) from Latin rējectus, past participle of rējicere “to throw back,” equivalent to re- re- + jec-, combining form of jacere “to throw” + -tus past participle suffix

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

A year went past, and she'd heard nothing - until she was rejected due to the cost of her medication being far above the threshold set by the Australian government.

From BBC

Pakistan has repeatedly rejected these accusations, saying that this is about making the Pakistani people safer by stopping terrorism.

From BBC

The White House quickly responded to Leo, rejecting the allegation that illegal immigrants were being treated inhumanely.

From The Wall Street Journal

A three-judge panel on Thursday rejected the request in a pithy unsigned order.

From The Wall Street Journal

Gamboa, who was wearing a red shirt and boarded the plane in handcuffs and under heavy guard, attempted to prevent his extradition with last-minute legal appeals, but the efforts were rejected.

From Barron's