Repudiate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

Repudiate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

1. to declare not to be true

   "vigorously repudiated the charge that she had lied on her résumé"

   similar: contradict, deny, disaffirm, disallow, disavow, disclaim, disconfirm, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, refute, reject
   related: traverse, challenge, confute, disprove, rebut, disagree (with), dispute
   opposite: acknowledge, admit, allow, avow, concede, confirm, own
   near: accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, affirm, announce, assert, aver, claim, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify

2. to refuse to acknowledge as one's own or as one's responsibility

   "the angry mother bitterly repudiated her teenaged daughter, telling her that she never wanted to see or hear from her again"

   similar: deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, wash one's hands of
   related: contradict, disallow, gainsay, negate, negative, refuse, reject, challenge, confute, criticize, disprove, rebut, refute, dispute, question, abdicate, abjure, recant, renounce, retract
   opposite: acknowledge, avow, claim, own, recognize
   near: accept, adopt, embrace, espouse, admit, concede, confess, grant, affirm, announce, assert, aver, declare, maintain, profess, submit, authenticate, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, validate, verify

3. to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

   "we didn't like the terms, so we repudiated the contract"

   similar: balk (at), decline, deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, spurn, throw out, throw over, turn down, turn one's back on
   related: blow off, disdain, rebuff, scorn, scout, shoot down, overrule, veto, forbid, prohibit, proscribe, dismiss, ignore, abstain (from), forbear, refrain (from), deny, disavow, disclaim, dispute, gainsay, stick, abjure, forswear, recant, renounce, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw, avoid, bypass, detour, contradict, disown, negate, controvert, disagree (with), disprove, rebut, refute, back down, back off, backtrack, disallow, recall, renege, revoke
   opposite: accept, agree (to), approve
   near: condone, countenance, swallow, tolerate, adopt, embrace, receive, take, welcome, accede, acquiesce, agree, assent, consent, choose, handpick, select, espouse, support

4. to solemnly or formally reject or go back on (as something formerly adhered to)

   "the producers of the hit TV show threatened to take the disgruntled actor to court if he attempted to repudiate his contract"

   similar: abjure, abnegate, forswear, recant, renege, renounce, repeal, retract, take back, unsay, withdraw
   related: contradict, deny, disavow, disclaim, disown, gainsay, negate, negative, abandon, bolt, forsake, give up, relinquish, spurn, surrender, controvert, disagree (with), disprove, dispute, rebut, refute, back down, back off, backtrack, disallow, recall, revoke
   opposite: adhere (to)
   near: acknowledge, admit, affirm, assert, avow, claim, contend, declare, maintain, proclaim, profess, state, vouch, vow, back, confirm, defend, endorse, espouse, support, uphold, accept, adopt, embrace