spurn

American  

[spurn] / spɜrn /

verb (used with object)

1. to reject with disdain; scorn.

   Antonyms:

   accept

2. to treat with contempt; despise.

3. to kick or trample with the foot.

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verb (used without object)

1. to show disdain or contempt; scorn something.

noun

1. disdainful rejection.

2. contemptuous treatment.

   Synonyms:

   contumely

3. a kick.

spurn British  

/ spɜːn /

verb

1. to reject (a person or thing) with contempt

2. archaic to kick (at)

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noun

1. an instance of spurning

2. archaic a kick or thrust

Related Words

See refuse ¹.

Other Word Forms

• outspurn verb (used with object)
• spurner noun

Etymology

Origin of spurn

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English spurnen, Old English spurnan; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German spurnan, Old Norse sporna “to kick”; akin to Latin spernere “to put away”; (noun) Middle English: “a kick, contemptuous stroke,” derivative of the verb

Example Sentences

Francis also gave the papacy a less formal and more approachable image by spurning regal attire, riding in compact cars and making headlines with blunt comments at news conferences.

From The Wall Street Journal

The stock fell 5% on Wednesday on reports of a potential financial partner spurning a data center Oracle was building.

From The Wall Street Journal

A spurned Paramount then went direct to Warner Bros Discovery shareholders with a hostile takeover offer that they say is "superior" to the Netflix deal.

From BBC

Discovery auction; it said Monday that it was launching a $78-billion hostile takeover of its rival after being spurned last week in the bidding.

From Los Angeles Times

All of the candidates already had been spurned by the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• despise
• disdain
• dismiss
• disregard
• flout
• rebuff
• refuse
• reject
• repudiate
• scorn
• snub
• turn down