rebuff

[ noun ri-buhf, ree-buhf; verb ri-buhf ]

noun

1. a blunt or abrupt rejection, as of a person making advances.
2. a peremptory refusal of a request, offer, etc.; snub.
3. a check to action or progress.

verb (used with object)

1. to give a rebuff to; check; repel; refuse; drive away.

   Synonyms: spurn, reject, slight, snub

rebuff

/ rɪˈbʌf /

verb

1. to snub, reject, or refuse (a person offering help or sympathy, an offer of help, etc) abruptly or out of hand
2. to beat back (an attack); repel

noun

1. a blunt refusal or rejection; snub
2. any sudden check to progress or action

Other Words From

• re·buffa·ble adjective
• re·buffa·bly adverb
• unre·buffa·ble adjective
• unre·buffed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuff¹

1580–90; < Middle French rebuffer < Italian ribuffare to disturb, reprimand, derivative of ribuffo (noun), equivalent to ri- re- + buffo puff; buffoon

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebuff¹

C16: from Old French rebuffer , from Italian ribuffare , from ribuffo a reprimand, from ri- re- + buffo puff, gust, apparently of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Then, Malawi’s state house rebuffed gossip that President Lazarus Chakwera was unwell by posting videos of the leader jogging and doing press-ups in the capital, Lilongwe.

From BBC

When the area was transferred to the Territory of Colorado in 1861, manitos petitioned the federal government to remain part of New Mexico, only to be rebuffed.

From Los Angeles Times

He has rebuffed requests to meet with them as the investigation is being conducted, he said, because “it would be inappropriate for me, as District Attorney, to meet with victims during this time.”

From Los Angeles Times

“If anyone dared rebuff his call to pay bribes, he punished them and their city projects, threatening developers with indefinitely delayed projects and financial peril,” according to the U.S.

From Los Angeles Times

President Joe Biden has so far rebuffed calls by some of country's biggest business groups to use federal power to reopen the ports for 80 days, to provide a cooling-off period for further negotiation.

From BBC

Related Words

• chide
• deny
• dismiss
• disregard
• fend off
• ignore
• oppose
• rebuke
• refuse
• reject
• repudiate
• resist
• snub
• spurn
• turn down