Definition

1. Verb:
   • To reject or refuse something or someone with disdain, scorn, or contempt. It implies a strong, often emotional, dismissal as being unworthy or beneath consideration.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:
  • She spurned his marriage proposal, saying she could never love him.
  • The committee spurned the initial plan as being completely impractical.
  • He felt spurned by his former friends after the scandal.

Advanced Usage

• "to spurn someone's advances/offers/advice": to reject romantic interest, proposals, or suggestions with contempt.
  • The celebrity spurned the tabloid's offer for an exclusive interview.
• "to spurn an opportunity": to disdainfully turn down a chance.
  • She spurned the opportunity to study abroad, preferring to stay close to home.

Variants and Related Words

• Spurner (noun, rare): one who spurns.
• Spurning (noun/gerund): the act of rejecting with contempt.
  • His spurning of their traditions caused great offense.

Synonyms

• Reject: to refuse to accept, consider, or use.
• Scorn: to feel or express contempt or disdain for.
• Disdain: to regard or treat as unworthy or beneath one's dignity.
• Rebuff: to reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner.

Antonyms

• Accept: to receive willingly.
• Welcome: to greet or receive gladly.
• Embrace: to accept or support willingly and enthusiastically.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "To turn up one's nose at": to show disdain or contempt for something, similar in meaning to spurn.
  • He turned up his nose at the cheap wine, spurning the host's offering.
• "To give someone the cold shoulder": to intentionally ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way, which can be a form of spurning.
  • After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder, effectively spurning his attempts at reconciliation.

Verb

1. reject with contempt
   • She spurned his advances