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

The story of the first Carthaginian queen, Dido, was co-opted by the Roman poet Virgil, whose hero, Aeneas, spurns her.

From The Wall Street Journal

Takaichi spurned the chance for an apprenticeship at a Japanese conglomerate to instead take a job in Washington, D.C.

From The Wall Street Journal

Energised by renewed belief, Rybakina reset on serve after Sabalenka spurned the chance to break for a 4-2 lead - and then struck again in the following game as the top seed faltered.

From BBC

She claims in her suit that Reid retaliated against her after she spurned his advances, berating her in front of staff after she brought in a young Kanye West for a label audition.

From Los Angeles Times

The Rams grew nervy, spurning chances to build their lead.

From Barron's

Related Words

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