repudiate

[ ri-pyoo-dee-eyt ]

See synonyms for: repudiate repudiated repudiating on Thesaurus.com

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

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin repudiātus (past participle of repudiāre “to reject, refuse”), equivalent to repudi(um) “a casting off, divorce” (re- + pud(ere) “to make ashamed, feel shame” + -ium noun suffix ) + -ātus past participle sufffix; see re-, pudendum, -ium, -ate¹

Other words for repudiate

1	disavow, discard, disclaim
2	renounce, disown
3	condemn, disapprove

See synonyms for repudiate on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for repudiate

1	accept
3	approve

See antonyms for repudiate on Thesaurus.com

Other words from repudiate

re·pu·di·a·ble, adjective
re·pu·di·a·tive, adjective
re·pu·di·a·tor, noun
non·re·pu·di·a·ble, adjective
non·re·pu·di·a·tive, adjective
un·re·pu·di·a·ble, adjective
un·re·pu·di·at·ed, adjective
un·re·pu·di·a·tive, adjective

Words that may be confused with repudiate

repudiate , refute, refudiate (see word story at refudiate)

Words Nearby repudiate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use repudiate in a sentence

We think Republican leaders are essential in putting an end to all of this by clearly repudiating election conspiracies and violence in messages to the public.
Are we entering a new era of political violence? | Sean Illing | January 7, 2021 | Vox
“We repudiate, denounce and condemn the inability of government institutions in Cuba to dialogue and recognize dissent, activist autonomy, empowerment of minorities and respect for human and citizen rights,” the document says.
A hunger strike in San Isidro, the protest that does not let Havana sleep | Maykel González Vivero | November 30, 2020 | Washington Blade
This could affect both the degree to which Democrats pursue a more aggressive agenda, and the extent to which Republicans regard Trumpism as having been repudiated.
8 Tips To Stay Sane In The Final 15 Days Of The Campaign | Nate Silver (nrsilver@fivethirtyeight.com) | October 18, 2020 | FiveThirtyEight
ProPublica’s responseProspect misleadingly suggests this “one source” repudiated all of the multiple statements attributed to him in our article.
A Hospital Chain Said Our Article Was Inaccurate. It’s Not. | by Peter Elkind | October 12, 2020 | ProPublica
If such a policy or practice exists, it violates protestors’ Fourth Amendment and due process rights, and it should be immediately repealed and repudiated.
Morning Report: Another Potential Violation for Barrios | Sara Libby | September 25, 2020 | Voice of San Diego

The testimony included that of two defendants, Salaam and Wise, who took the stand to repudiate their confessions.
The Myth of the Central Park Five | Edward Conlon | October 19, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
But the U.S. could work with Yeltsin—though he chose a successor who would ‘repudiate his legacy.’
Blame This Drunken Bear for Vladimir Putin | Eleanor Clift | April 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Would they commit an act of courage that would repudiate 60 years of German war crimes decisions?
How to Try a Nazi | Richard Rashke | September 6, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Canada must repudiate extremism on both sides of the conflict.
How Can Canada Deal with the Zombie Threat? | David Frum | February 16, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Not only do I not classify myself as a birther, I specifically repudiate the birther thesis with two books and the film.
Meghan McCain Talks to ‘2016: Obama’s America’ Director Dinesh D’Souza | Meghan McCain | September 4, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
My teacher—the author of the Kriegswissenschaft—the ideal revolutionist—he to denounce me, to repudiate propaganda by deed?
Prison Memoirs of an Anarchist | Alexander Berkman
But thou, O my Provence, bePg 195 not disturbed about the sons that disown thee and repudiate thy speech.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred Downer
He is not called to repudiate idolatry, but by divine command to go to an unknown country.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume II | John Lord
It often happens that the people are too ready to follow the demagogue and to repudiate and ridicule the honest reformer.
The Two Great Republics: Rome and the United States | James Hamilton Lewis
Mrs. Brookenham's failure to repudiate the vision appeared to suffice, and her visitor cheerfully took a further jump.
The Awkward Age | Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for repudiate

repudiate

/ (rɪˈpjuːdɪˌeɪt) /

verb(tr)

to reject the authority or validity of; refuse to accept or ratify: Congress 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)

Origin of repudiate

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

Derived forms of repudiate

repudiable, adjective
repudiation, noun
repudiative, adjective
repudiator, noun

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

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