rebuff
/ri'bʌf/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A blunt or abrupt rejection, especially of an offer, request, or advance.
- An act or instance of snubbing someone; a deliberate discourteous act expressing disapproval.
Verb:
- To reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner; to snub.
- To drive back or repel an attack or attacker forcefully.
Usage
- As a Noun: Used to describe the act or instance of rejection itself.
- As a Verb: Used to describe the action of giving such a rejection or repelling an advance.
Examples
- Noun:
- His friendly offer was met with a sharp rebuff.
- She interpreted his silence as a rebuff to her suggestion.
- Verb:
- The board rebuffed the proposal without discussion.
- The defenders successfully rebuffed the enemy assault.
Advanced Usage
- "to meet with a rebuff": to be rejected.
- His attempts at reconciliation met with a firm rebuff.
- "to suffer a rebuff": to experience rejection.
- The team suffered a rebuff in their initial funding application.
Variants and Related Words
- Rebuffable (adj): Capable of being rebuffed. (Rare)
- Rebuffer (n): One who rebuffs. (Rare)
Synonyms
- Noun: rejection, snub, repulse, brush-off, dismissal.
- Verb: reject, snub, repulse, spurn, turn down, repel.
Antonyms
- Noun: acceptance, welcome, approval.
- Verb: accept, welcome, embrace, approve.
Related Phrases
- "a stinging/brusque/cold rebuff": Describes the harsh or unfriendly nature of the rejection.
- He delivered a cold rebuff that ended the conversation.
- "to rebuff advances": To reject romantic or social overtures.
- She politely but firmly rebuffed his advances.
Noun
- an instance of driving away or warding off
- a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
Verb
- force or drive back
- repel the attacker
- fight off the onslaught
- rebuff the attack
- reject outright and bluntly
- She snubbed his proposal