rebuff

American  

[ri-buhf, ree-buhf, ri-buhf] / rɪˈbʌf, ˈri bʌf, rɪˈbʌf /

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.

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verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms:

   spurn, reject, slight, snub

rebuff British  

/ 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

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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

Etymology

Origin of rebuff

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

Example Sentences

Over the years, it has also rebuffed Chinese investment given its U.S. alliance, even as Greenland has been trying to diversify its economy beyond fisheries.

From Barron's

Just as Amazon has tried to ban Comet, other retailers have rebuffed Amazon’s automated system acting on the behalf of their customers.

From Barron's

Paramount has long argued its offer, which Warner repeatedly rebuffed, is superior in value to Netflix’s.

From The Wall Street Journal

After the war, Washington again explored buying the island, but Denmark rebuffed the overtures.

From The Wall Street Journal

The board’s decision to rebuff Paramount is the latest development in the fight for the future of Warner.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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