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to reject

to reject

839 1.9
Refuse to accept someone or something
  • verb
  • /rɪˈdʒɛkt/
translation icon : rechazar
  • The committee decided to reject the proposal due to insufficient evidence.
  • reject the idea
  • accept or reject
  • reject the notion

I need a moment where you will reject unworthy suitors.

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Examples

  • As such, I reject that premise on its face.

  • And his proposal was rejected by this House.

  • I can also choose to reject or avoid it as well.

  • But what I have learned is to reject the people who feel wrong.

  • I think the first thing is you have to reject the myth of reform.

  • Maybe so, but I can't see a legal reason to reject the request.

  • I officially reject these articles of impeachment.

  • It ls why we are a peaceful people who reject violence on principle.

  • Other scientists, however, may reject her adaptation as unsuited to the discipline of chemistry.

    Academic text (2013)
  • The Senate considered the bill over the course of ten days, rejecting twenty-four amendments and accepting eight.

    Academic text (2017)

Synonyms

to refuse
vsto reject
1.7

To say you do not believe something is true

is wider covering not accepting allowing believing or approving things
to deny
vsto reject
423 1.6

To refuse to let someone have something

is broader and also covers not believing or not approving ideas or people
to eliminate
vsto reject
354 3.4

Remove someone or something from a competition so they are no longer in it

is broader and also covers refusing belief approval or permission in other contexts
to object
vsto reject
349 5.1

To say you do not agree with something

is more about refusing acceptance itself rather than just expressing dislike
to dismiss
vsto reject
332 3.0

To refuse to accept an idea or claim

is broader and may involve active refusal or withholding of approval instead
to turn down
vsto reject
312 2.9

Refuse an offer, invitation, or request

is broader and applies to belief approval or general acceptance beyond offers
to resist
vsto reject
311 2.2

Act against authority, rules or change

is more about single non acceptance rather than ongoing active opposition
to decline
vsto reject
272 3.4

To say no politely to an offer or invitation

is more general and does not focus on polite or formal saying no
to rule out
vsto reject
246 3.5

Decide that an idea, cause or option should not be considered

is broader and applies to active refusing as well as simple non acceptance
to veto
vsto reject
156 4.0

To refuse to accept a decision, proposal, or law

is general and covers informal refusals without special official authority
to disapprove
vsto reject
94 2.9

To think something is wrong or bad and show it

is stronger and involves refusing acceptance or approval not only dislike
to turn away
vsto reject
77 2.8

Refuse someone entry to a place or group

is wider and includes not accepting ideas beliefs offers and approvals as well
to dissent
vsto reject
  • Formal
39 6.8

To disagree publicly with an official idea or decision

is broader and applies to private or informal non acceptance as well
to repudiate
vsto reject
  • Formal
33 8.2

To refuse to accept or be linked to something

is more general and covers simple non acceptance without public disowning
to disavow
vsto reject
  • Formal
33 7.7

To say you are not responsible for or connected to something

is broader and also covers saying something is untrue or not acceptable
to shoot down
vsto reject
  • Informal
31 3.8

Say no to an idea or plan in a sudden, strong way

is broader and can be used for slower or formal non acceptance as well
to frown upon
vsto reject
23 4.2

To think something is not acceptable

is broader and also covers refusing or not allowing things beyond opinions
to disallow
vsto reject
  • Formal
16 3.9

To refuse to allow something, usually by an official rule

is broader and includes personal or informal non acceptance not only legal bans
to nix
vsto reject
  • Informal
15 8.0

To say no to an idea or plan

is similar but serves as the general act of not accepting or approving
to disbelieve
vsto reject
14 4.7

To not accept that something is true

is broader and also covers refusing approval or permission beyond belief
to frown on
vsto reject
14 3.9

To show that you do not approve of something, often for social or official reasons

is broader and includes active refusal or denial beyond social opinion
to repel
vsto reject
3 4.8

Refuse a request or offer in a blunt way

is more general and does not always imply physical or emotional pushing away
to winnow out
vsto reject
1 7.1

Remove people or things from a group because they are not suitable

is more general and happens outside structured selection processes as well
to turn thumbs down
vsto reject
1 7.0

To show that you do not agree with or support something

is broader and applies to individual non approval beyond voting contexts
to neg
vsto reject
  • Informal
9.9

To say no to an idea or plan without giving a reason

is broader and covers formal refusals or official non acceptance as well

Antonyms

1.3

To believe or agree that something is true

1.6

To officially agree to something or think that it is good

793 1.0

To take something someone offers, for example a gift or invitation

188 1.6

Allow someone to enter a place

How Firm

veto
205 4.9
to spurn
26 7.7
to reject
839 1.9
to refuse
716 1.7
to decline
272 3.4

Surface Forms

reject infinitive
rejected past
rejected past participle
rejecting present participle
rejects third person singular

Morphology

reject = re + ject

The prefix 're-' (meaning back/again) is recognizable, but the core combining form 'ject' is not a standalone English word, so learners cannot fully deduce the meaning from the parts alone.

Etymology

Reject comes from two simple parts: re- meaning 'back' and -ject meaning 'to throw', the same root you see in eject and project. So to reject something is like 'throwing it back' — to refuse to accept it.