repudiate

[ ri-pyoo-dee-eyt ]

verb (used with object)

, re·pu·di·at·ed, re·pu·di·at·ing.

1. to reject as having no authority or binding force:

   to repudiate a claim.

   Synonyms: disclaim, discard, disavow

   Antonyms: accept

2. to cast off or disown:

   to repudiate a son.

3. to reject with disapproval or condemnation:

   to repudiate a new doctrine.

   Synonyms: disapprove, condemn, disown, renounce

   Antonyms: approve

4. to reject with denial:

   to repudiate a charge as untrue.

5. to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality, etc.

repudiate

/ rɪˈpjuːdɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to reject the authority or validity of; refuse to accept or ratify

   Congress repudiated the treaty that the President had negotiated

2. to refuse to acknowledge or pay (a debt)
3. to cast off or disown (a son, lover, etc)

Derived Forms

• reˈpudiative, adjective
• reˌpudiˈation, noun
• reˈpudiable, adjective
• reˈpudiˌator, noun

Other Words From

• re·pudi·a·ble adjective
• re·pudi·ative adjective
• re·pudi·ator noun
• nonre·pudi·a·ble adjective
• nonre·pudi·ative adjective
• unre·pudi·a·ble adjective
• unre·pudi·ated adjective
• unre·pudi·ative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repudiate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin repudiātus (past participle of repudiāre “to reject, refuse”), equivalent to repudi(um) “a casting off, divorce” ( re- + pud(ere) “to make ashamed, feel shame” + -ium noun suffix ) + -ātus past participle sufffix; re-, pudendum, -ium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repudiate¹

C16: from Latin repudiāre to put away, from repudium a separation, divorce, from re- + pudēre to be ashamed

Example Sentences

In an interview with the conservative law professor Josh Blackman published on Monday, Ho sketched out his excuse to repudiate birthright citizenship by framing immigrants who lack permanent legal status as “invading aliens” whose children born on U.S. soil may be denied citizenship by states and the federal government.

From Slate

He said Syracuse University was “championing facilitated communication over clear and established science,” and implored it to “renounce and repudiate” the technique for its “dangerous harms.”

From BBC

Nobody seems to have language to say: We abhor, reject, repudiate, and punish all political violence, even as we maintain that Trump remains himself a promoter of such violence, a subverter of American institutions, and the very opposite of everything decent and patriotic in American life.

From Salon

Many Democrats acknowledge Biden now faces a wholly different political reality, even as key parts of his base push him to repudiate border restrictions and compare his move to Trump’s policies as president.

From Seattle Times

Speaker Mike Johnson had been pressing to issue the invitation for weeks, seeking to hug Mr. Netanyahu closer as some Democrats, particularly progressives, repudiate him and condemn his tactics in the war, which have caused tens of thousands of civilian casualties in Gaza and a humanitarian disaster for Palestinians.

From New York Times

Related Words

• abandon
• break with
• disavow
• dismiss
• disown
• forsake
• recant
• renounce
• repeal
• rescind
• retract
• reverse
• revoke
• spurn