rebuff

[ri-buhf, ree-buhf, ri-buhf]

noun

1. a blunt or abrupt rejection, as of a person making advances.

2. a peremptory refusal of a request, offer, etc.; snub.

3. a check to action or progress.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a rebuff to; check; repel; refuse; drive away.

   Synonyms: spurn, reject, slight, snub

rebuff

/ rɪˈbʌf /

verb

1. to snub, reject, or refuse (a person offering help or sympathy, an offer of help, etc) abruptly or out of hand

2. to beat back (an attack); repel

noun

1. a blunt refusal or rejection; snub

2. any sudden check to progress or action

Other Word Forms

• rebuffable adjective
• rebuffably adverb
• unrebuffable adjective
• unrebuffed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuff¹

1580–90; < Middle French rebuffer < Italian ribuffare to disturb, reprimand, derivative of ribuffo (noun), equivalent to ri- re- + buffo puff; buffoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuff¹

C16: from Old French rebuffer , from Italian ribuffare , from ribuffo a reprimand, from ri- _re- + buffo puff, gust, apparently of imitative origin

Example Sentences

That means economic reform is stalled, and the National Assembly already has rebuffed ever so modest gestures toward spending restraint.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Asked why she had not rebuffed her lover's suggestion, Mrs Mills told police she "did not want to lose him".

Read more on BBC

Bloomberg earlier reported that Warner had rebuffed a bid from Paramount.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Discovery board to rebuff the offer, sources said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Similar Russian plans to develop a significant presence in new parts of Africa have also been rebuffed.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chide 
• deny 
• dismiss 
• disregard 
• fend off www.thesaurus.com
• ignore 
• oppose 
• rebuke 
• refuse 
• reject 
• repudiate 
• resist 
• snub 
• spurn 
• turn down