repudiate

[ ri-pyoo-dee-eyt ]

/ rɪˈpyu diˌeɪt /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repudiate 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.

Nearby words

republican river, republicanism, republicanize, republication, republish, repudiate, repudiation, repugn, repugnance, repugnant, repulse

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

SYNONYMS FOR repudiate

1 disavow, renounce, discard, disclaim.

3 condemn, disapprove.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR repudiate ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR repudiate

1 accept.

3 approve.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR repudiate ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

re·pu·di·a·ble, adjectivere·pu·di·a·tive, adjectivere·pu·di·a·tor, nounnon·re·pu·di·a·ble, adjective

non·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 confused

repudiate refute refudiate (see word story at refudiate)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for repudiate

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|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|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|DAILY BEAST
The goal of broader coverage, however, Republicans do not have to repudiate.
The Answer is Romneycare|David Frum|August 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Outrage ensued as the DNC and others called on Mitt to repudiate Ted.
After Ted Nugent’s Tirade, More Backers Who Could Wound Mitt Romney|Ben Jacobs|April 18, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He was about to repudiate the idea scornfully, when he sneezed!
The Breaking Point|Mary Roberts Rinehart
He does not repudiate it but begs of her to choose something else, even the half of his kingdom rather than what she asks.
Oscar Wilde|Leonard Cresswell Ingleby
There was something coming to him on that account which a man could not repudiate or ignore.
The Flockmaster of Poison Creek|George W. Ogden
Lamien; he had no wish to repudiate his position; at the end of the interview he considered himself engaged to Mdlle.
Miss Hildreth, Volume 3 of 3|Augusta de Grasse Stevens
By all means let us repudiate such a system with heartfelt disgust.
Doctor Thorne|Anthony Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for repudiate

repudiate

/ (rɪˈpjuːdɪˌeɪt) /

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 Forms

repudiable, 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