Spurn
verb
To reject or refuse something or someone with disdain or contempt.
She spurned his romantic advances.
Often appears as...
- spurn the offer
- spurn the chance
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To kick or trample with the foot.
The horse spurned the dirt as it galloped.
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
verb
To reject or refuse something or someone with disdain or contempt.
She spurned his romantic advances.
Often appears as...
- spurn the offer
- spurn the chance
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To kick or trample with the foot.
The horse spurned the dirt as it galloped.
Usage tips
Formal
Literary
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Using 'spurn' can indicate a strong rejection with emotional undertones, often because of disbelief or disdain.
He spurned the gossip as a baseless rumor.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity of Rejection
'Spurn' is more intense than a polite decline; it carries a sense of harshness or finality.
The author spurned the critic's harsh review.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Casual
'Spurn' is not used in casual conversation; it's more formal and emphasizes the act of rejection.
The philanthropist spurned the proposal as it lacked detail.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Using 'spurn' can indicate a strong rejection with emotional undertones, often because of disbelief or disdain.
He spurned the gossip as a baseless rumor.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity of Rejection
'Spurn' is more intense than a polite decline; it carries a sense of harshness or finality.
The author spurned the critic's harsh review.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Casual
'Spurn' is not used in casual conversation; it's more formal and emphasizes the act of rejection.
The philanthropist spurned the proposal as it lacked detail.
Pro Tip 1/3Emotional Weight
Using 'spurn' can indicate a strong rejection with emotional undertones, often because of disbelief or disdain.
He spurned the gossip as a baseless rumor.
Pro Tip 2/3Intensity of Rejection
'Spurn' is more intense than a polite decline; it carries a sense of harshness or finality.
The author spurned the critic's harsh review.
Pro Tip 3/3Not Casual
'Spurn' is not used in casual conversation; it's more formal and emphasizes the act of rejection.
The philanthropist spurned the proposal as it lacked detail.
Never forget "Spurn"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
How a few scientists...
but even then, city officials spurned his theory, not wanting to admit that there was human waste in London's water supply, or that they were wrong about miasma theory, which was, after all, hundreds of years old. It wasn't until 1884 that Dr. Snow's efforts
Video examples
Why women should tell...
And then all of a sudden I they weren't children; they were boys -- all boys. And Caroline, who had invested so much in E.T., well, she wasn't invited to save him, and she felt humiliated and spurned.
Video examples
Silverback Showing off...
This is hardly the great leader in control, pushed around by the youngest male in the group and spurned by Tuck the only female.
Video examples
How a few scientists...
but even then, city officials spurned his theory, not wanting to admit that there was human waste in London's water supply, or that they were wrong about miasma theory, which was, after all, hundreds of years old. It wasn't until 1884 that Dr. Snow's efforts
Video examples
Why women should tell...
And then all of a sudden I they weren't children; they were boys -- all boys. And Caroline, who had invested so much in E.T., well, she wasn't invited to save him, and she felt humiliated and spurned.
Video examples
Silverback Showing off...
This is hardly the great leader in control, pushed around by the youngest male in the group and spurned by Tuck the only female.
Example 1 of 3
Quote examples
Marcus Buckingham
British Author
Google and Facebook, each in their own way, have revolutionized the delivery of advertising based on search and social networking, creating a sort of anti-Spam: targeted, relevant ads that a consumer might actually welcome rather than spurn.
Quote examples
Srikumar Rao
Indian Educator
If you embrace 'positive thinking,' you are - by definition - spurning 'negative thinking.' So it's as if you were on a teeter-totter and are trying desperately to put all your weight on one side - the 'positive thinking' side.
Quote examples
Clive Lewis
There is nothing efficient about firms spurning more productive technologies because years of unrelenting attacks on social safety nets and collective bargaining have created cheap labour in abundance.
Quote examples
Anthony Lewis
American Journalist
Over many years, the United States has worked to persuade and compel governments around the world to abide by the rules. By spurning our own rules, we put that effort at risk.
Quote examples
Andrew Shaffer
American Author
It's easy to feel spurned, especially when you return to your apartment and stare at the hundreds of rejection letters tacked to your bulletin board.
Quote examples
David Berman
American Musician
I read Henry Miller's 'Nexus,' 'Sexus' and 'Plexus' the summer after I graduated from college. It cemented my decision to spurn any and all careers.
Quote examples
Ovid
Roman Poet
The prayers of cowards fortune spurns.
Quote examples
Marcus Buckingham
British Author
Google and Facebook, each in their own way, have revolutionized the delivery of advertising based on search and social networking, creating a sort of anti-Spam: targeted, relevant ads that a consumer might actually welcome rather than spurn.
Quote examples
Srikumar Rao
Indian Educator
If you embrace 'positive thinking,' you are - by definition - spurning 'negative thinking.' So it's as if you were on a teeter-totter and are trying desperately to put all your weight on one side - the 'positive thinking' side.
Quote examples
Clive Lewis
There is nothing efficient about firms spurning more productive technologies because years of unrelenting attacks on social safety nets and collective bargaining have created cheap labour in abundance.
Quote examples
Anthony Lewis
American Journalist
Over many years, the United States has worked to persuade and compel governments around the world to abide by the rules. By spurning our own rules, we put that effort at risk.
Quote examples
Andrew Shaffer
American Author
It's easy to feel spurned, especially when you return to your apartment and stare at the hundreds of rejection letters tacked to your bulletin board.
Quote examples
David Berman
American Musician
I read Henry Miller's 'Nexus,' 'Sexus' and 'Plexus' the summer after I graduated from college. It cemented my decision to spurn any and all careers.
Quote examples
Ovid
Roman Poet
The prayers of cowards fortune spurns.
Example 1 of 7
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension