reject

[ verb ri-jekt; noun ree-jekt ]

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

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

noun

1. something rejected as imperfect, unsatisfactory, or useless

Derived Forms

• reˈjective, adjective
• reˈjection, noun
• reˈjectable, adjective
• reˈjecter, noun

Other Words From

• re·jecta·ble adjective
• re·jecter noun
• re·jective adjective
• prere·ject verb (used with object)
• quasi-re·jected adjective
• unre·jecta·ble adjective
• unre·jected adjective
• unre·jective adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of reject¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of reject¹

C15: from Latin rēicere to throw back, from re- + jacere to hurl

Synonym Study

See refuse ¹.

Example Sentences

Officials believe this could be a reference to what critics call the "three Ds of insurance" - tactics used by insurance companies to reject payment claims by patients in America's complicated healthcare system.

From BBC

But a Nevada probate commissioner rejected the request to amend the trust that had been opposed by Murdoch’s other children named in the trust — Prudence, James and Elisabeth.

From Los Angeles Times

Attorneys from the Department of Justice are urging the federal court to reject the request, according to ABC News, claiming “critical national-security interests.”

From Salon

Discovery’s attempt to match Amazon bid is rejected, ending TNT’s run as an NBA partner after next season.

From Los Angeles Times

On Friday, judges rejected the idea that the law was unconstitutional - saying it was the result of "extensive, bipartisan action" by lawmakers.

From BBC

Related Words

• deny
• dismiss
• rebuff
• refuse
• renounce
• repudiate
• scrap
• spurn
• turn down
• veto