rebuff

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“
But November--the chill month with its "rebuff"--will see both rabbits and magpies quite departed No!

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Definitions (15)

Toggle American Heritage definitions American Heritage Dictionary (4)

  1. noun A blunt or abrupt repulse or refusal, as to an offer.
  2. noun A check or an abrupt setback to progress or action.
  3. transitive verb To reject bluntly, often disdainfully; snub. See Synonyms at refuse1.
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Toggle Century definitions Century Dictionary (5)

Toggle GNU Webster definitions GNU Webster's 1913 (2)

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Examples (50)

  • But last night in Birmingham the opposition leader suffered what could only be described as a rebuff when conference delegates voted her the greatest Tory hero of all time. —  Politics news, UK and world political comment and analysis | guardian.co.uk
  • When Fortune frowns upon her worthy wooer, it is still permitted him to think how pleasant it will be ere long to bask in her smiles SLIGHTS In seasons when the energies flag and our ambition fails us, a rebuff is a blessing, by rousing us from inaction, and stirring us to more vigorous efforts to make good our pretensions SOCIAL REGENERATION Private worth is the only true basis of public prosperity. —  The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 2, No. 14, December 1858
  • But November--the chill month with its "rebuff"--will see both rabbits and magpies quite departed No! —  Browning's Heroines
  • I recognized that refusal would be regarded as a rebuff, and therefore You are very kind," I said Colin Camber inclined his head gravely and courteously We are very glad to have you with us, Mr. Knox," he replied He clapped his hands, and, silent as a shadow, Ah Tsong appeared. —  Bat Wing
  • The lady hardly got a rebuff -- —  Dramatic Romances
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Related

Roget's II Roget's II: The New Thesaurus

Allen's Allen's Synonyms and Antonyms

Used in the same context Used in the Same Context

setback ·  reproof ·  rejoinder ·  refusal ·  shove ·  bereavement ·  reprimand ·  affront ·  indignity ·  u-turn ·  rejection ·  chastisement

Used in the same contextWord Family

rebuff:   rebuffing ·  rebuffed
Roget's II: The New Thesaurus, Third Edition by the Editors of the American Heritage® Dictionary. Copyright © 2003, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Etymologies (3)

Toggle American Heritage etymologies American Heritage Dictionary (1)

  1. From obsolete French rebuffer, to reject, from Italian ribuffare, from ribuffo, reprimand : ri-, back (from Latin re-; see re-) + buffo, gust, puff (of imitative origin).

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (2)

  1. from Old French rebuffer (also rabuffer) (=Italian rebuffare, ribuffare, also rabbuffare), check, chide, repulse, from re- + buffer (=Italian buffare), puff, blow: see buff and buff.
  2. from Old French rebuffe =Italian rebuffo, ribuffo; from the verb.
 

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/rəˈbəf/
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