repudiate

[ri-pyoo-dee-eyt]

verb (used with object), re·pu·di·at·ed, re·pu·di·at·ing.

to reject as having no authority or binding force: to repudiate a claim.
to cast off or disown: to repudiate a son.
to reject with disapproval or condemnation: to repudiate a new doctrine.

to reject with denial: to repudiate a charge as untrue.
to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality, etc.

Origin of repudiate

1535–45; < Latin repudiātus (past participle of repudiāre to reject, refuse), equivalent to repudi(um) a casting off, divorce (re- re- + pud(ere) to make ashamed, feel shame (see pudendum) + -ium -ium) + -ātus -ate¹

Related formsre·pu·di·a·ble, adjectivere·pu·di·a·tive, adjectivere·pu·di·a·tor, nounnon·re·pu·di·a·ble, adjectivenon·re·pu·di·a·tive, adjectiveun·re·pu·di·a·ble, adjectiveun·re·pu·di·at·ed, adjectiveun·re·pu·di·a·tive, adjective

Can be confusedrepudiate refute refudiate (see word story at refudiate)

Synonyms for repudiate

1. disavow, renounce, discard, disclaim. 3. condemn, disapprove.

Antonyms for repudiate

1. accept. 3. approve.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for repudiable

repudiate

verb (tr)

to reject the authority or validity of; refuse to accept or ratifyCongress repudiated the treaty that the President had negotiated
to refuse to acknowledge or pay (a debt)
to cast off or disown (a son, lover, etc)

Derived Formsrepudiable, adjectiverepudiation, nounrepudiative, adjectiverepudiator, noun

Word Origin for repudiate

C16: from Latin repudiāre to put away, from repudium a separation, divorce, from re- + pudēre to be ashamed

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

Word Origin and History for repudiable

repudiate

1540s, "to cast off by divorce," from Latin repudiatus, past participle of repudiare "to cast off, put away, divorce, reject, scorn, disdain," from repudium "divorce, rejection, a putting away, dissolution of marriage," from re- "back, away" (see re-) + pudium, probably related to pes-/ped- "foot" [Barnhart]. If this is so, the original notion may be of kicking something away, but folk etymology commonly connects it with pudere "cause shame to." Of opinions, conduct, etc., "to refuse to acknowledge," attested from 1824. Earliest in English as an adjective meaning "divorced, rejected, condemned" (mid-15c.). Related: Repudiated; repudiating.