rebuff

[ noun ri-buhf, ree-buhf; verb 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 Words From

• re·buffa·ble adjective
• re·buffa·bly adverb
• unre·buffa·ble adjective
• unre·buffed 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

The presentation was a kind of rebuff to those who think Disney has been one-upped in the digital world by Netflix.

From Washington Post

Not only did she rebuff his awkward advance in person, she went home and did some sleuthing.

From The Daily Beast

March 2012: “In rebuff to Obama, Abbas says he will send ultimatum to Israel.”

From The Daily Beast

Or we simply learn how to artfully rebuff advances by subtly threatening to blow the whistle on despicable and degrading behavior.

From The Daily Beast

The tone constituted a rebuff, and Rita's coquetry deserted her, leaving her mortified and piqued.

From Project Gutenberg

"Tell him to call," she said to Tim, who delivered her message rather awkwardly, as if expecting a rebuff.

From Project Gutenberg

Nothing dismayed by his first rebuff, the audacious Fouch again intervened.

From Project Gutenberg

He was so easily rebuffed, and she was so reluctant to rebuff him.

From Project Gutenberg

Take, for instance, the matter of a caress or an embrace—how would you react to repeated rebuff?

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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