to spurn

Examples

• All

• Even the United States, better known for interventions spurned by self-interest than altruism, was compelled to intervene militarily.

  Academic text (1993)

• I said you deserve white magic, even if you spurn it.

  Cast a Deadly Spell (1991)

• You had your chance, Sir Guy, but you spurned me.

  China Seas (1935)

• American historians who pride themselves on being sophisticated spurn the idea of any kind of objective history.

  Academic text (1991)

• Many leaders of civic organizations spurn the entire chieftaincy structure in rural areas

  Academic text (1998)

• The world's pity was a bonus that she accepted or spurned as she saw fit.

  Academic text (2000)

• Please do remember this moment, and the opportunity so glibly spurned.

  Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016)

• True to its fickle nature, London society had spurned all things French except for their fashions.

  Fiction book (1994)

• Feeling hurt, he left the party when his friends spurned his invitation to join them.

• She was heartbroken when he spurned her romantic advances in favor of another.

Synonyms

T

to turn down

vsto spurn

312 2.9

Refuse an offer, invitation, or request

rejects while adding strong contempt and disrespect as an attitude

S

to scoff

vsto spurn

57 6.5

To say or do things to show you do not respect someone

rejects with contempt through ridicule rather than direct refusal

S

to scorn

vsto spurn

51 5.5

To show dislike and no respect for someone or something

rejects with contempt more actively than mere dislike

S

to shun

vsto spurn

26 4.6

To avoid someone or something and refuse to meet and speak to them on purpose

rejects with contempt openly rather than quietly avoiding

R

to rebuff

vsto spurn

18 7.7

To say no to someone or their offer in a quick rude way

rejects with contempt more intentionally and with insult

D

to disdain

vsto spurn

15 6.4

To treat a person or thing as not worthy of respect

rejects with contempt as an action rather than only feeling

S

to snub

vsto spurn

7 6.3

To ignore someone on purpose to show disrespect

rejects with contempt but emphasizes cold ignoring rather than words

P

to pooh-pooh

vsto spurn

5 9.5

To treat an idea or opinion as unimportant and not worth taking seriously

rejects with contempt by belittling rather than formal refusal

T

to turn up one's nose

vsto spurn

3 7.5

To show you think something is not good enough

rejects with contempt rather than giving a polite refusal

G

to give someone the brush-off

vsto spurn

• Informal

2 7.5

To reject someone quickly and rudely

rejects with contempt when the dismissal is openly rude

C

to contemn

vsto spurn

• Literature

1 9.9

To treat someone as unimportant and show strong dislike for them

rejects in contempt as a moral or social judgement

F

to freeze off

vsto spurn

• Informal

1 8.5

Treat someone in a cold way and ignore them to show dislike

rejects by showing cold contempt rather than a simple refusal

Antonyms

A

to accept

793 1.0

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

How Dismissive

to scorn

51 5.5

to snub

7 6.3

to spurn

26 7.7

to dismiss

332 3.0

to reject

839 1.9

to turn down

312 2.9

Surface Forms

Etymology