Synonyms for rebuff

Most common

resist · reject · repel · repulse · snub

All synonyms

Verb

Noun

Definitions

1. v. 1

   To refuse; to offer sudden or harsh resistance; to turn down or shut out.

2. n. 1

   A sudden resistance or refusal.

   He was surprised by her quick rebuff to his proposal.

Forms

Plural

rebuffs → rejections, setbacks, oppositions, resistances…

Past participle

rebuffed
e.g. rebuffed → repulsed, repelled, rejected, resisted…

Example sentences

• resist Tom and Mary said they couldn't resist doing that.
• reject Voters may yet reject the misbegotten 'Dream Act'.
• repel The talisman he's carrying should repel evil spirits.
• repulse They failed to repulse our attack.
• snub The little boy has a snub nose.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

4 letters

snub¹

5 letters

check¹, repel²

6 letters

refuse², resist², slight¹, reject²

7 letters

setback², repulse²

9 letters

rejection³

10 letters

opposition⁴, resistance³, repellency

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (repel² = 2 syllables).