Spurn — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈspərn/

Meaning & Definition of Spurn

Spurn (verb)

  1. to reject with disdain or contempt, scorn
  2. to tread sharply or heavily upon, trample
  3. to reject something disdainfully

Spurn (noun)

  1. disdainful rejection
  2. contemptuous treatment
  3. kick

Spurn (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

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

    "fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help"

    similar: balk (at), decline, deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, repudiate, 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

Spurn (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in repudiation, rebuff

    similar: rebuff, repudiation, repulse, declination, denial, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown, negative, ban, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression
    opposite: allowance, approval, grant, OK, acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, leave, license, permission, sanction, sufferance, imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Spurn

The most common words with a similar meaning to Spurn:

balk (at), decline, deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse, reject, reprobate, repudiate, throw out, throw over, turn down, turn one's back on, rebuff, repudiation, repulse, declination, denial, disallowance, nay, no, nonacceptance, refusal, rejection, turndown, ban, injunction, veto, deterrence, discouragement, repression, suppression

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Spurn

Words with the opposite meaning of Spurn:

accept, agree (to), approve, allowance, approval, grant, OK, acceptance, accession, acquiescence, agreement, assent, authorization, clearance, concurrence, consent, leave, license, permission, sanction, sufferance, imprimatur, seal, signature, stamp

Related Words for Spurn

blow off, disdain, scorn, scout, shoot down, overrule, 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

Near Antonyms of Spurn

condone, countenance, swallow, tolerate, adopt, embrace, receive, take, welcome, accede, acquiesce, agree, choose, handpick, select, espouse, support

Word Forms of Spurn

Inflections: spurned, spurning, spurns

Derived words: spurner (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Spurn

Middle English, from Old English spurnan; akin to Old High German spurnan to kick, Latin spernere to spurn, Greek spairein to quiver

First known use: before 12th centuryi

Frequently Asked Questions about Spurn

What does "Spurn" mean?

"Spurn" means to reject with disdain or contempt, scorn. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to reject with disdain or contempt, scorn. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Spurn"?

Other words for "Spurn" include balk (at), decline, deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass and pass up. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Spurn" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Spurn"?

There are 81 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Spurn". Common alternatives include balk (at), decline, deselect, disapprove, negative, nix, pass, pass up, refuse and reject.

What is the opposite of "Spurn"?

Antonyms of "Spurn" include accept, agree (to), approve, allowance, approval, grant, OK and acceptance. Near antonyms include condone, countenance, swallow and tolerate.

How do you use "Spurn" in a sentence?

Examples of "Spurn" in a sentence: "fiercely independent, the elderly couple spurned all offers of financial help".

Is "Spurn" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Spurn" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Spurn"?

"Spurn" is pronounced /ˈspərn/.

What is the origin of the word "Spurn"?

"Spurn" comes from Middle English, from Old English spurnan; akin to Old High German spurnan to kick, Latin spernere to spurn, Greek spairein to quiver. First known use: before 12th centuryi.