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rebuff

re·buff
R r

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [noun ri-buhf, ree-buhf; verb ri-buhf]
    • /noun rɪˈbʌf, ˈri bʌf; verb rɪˈbʌf/
    • /rɪˈbʌf/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [noun ri-buhf, ree-buhf; verb ri-buhf]
    • /noun rɪˈbʌf, ˈri bʌf; verb rɪˈbʌf/

Definitions of rebuff word

  • noun rebuff a blunt or abrupt rejection, as of a person making advances. 1
  • noun rebuff a peremptory refusal of a request, offer, etc.; snub. 1
  • noun rebuff a check to action or progress. 1
  • verb with object rebuff to give a rebuff to; check; repel; refuse; drive away. 1
  • transitive verb rebuff snub, reject 1
  • noun rebuff refusal, snub 1

Information block about the term

Origin of rebuff

First appearance:

before 1580
One of the 35% oldest English words
1580-90; < Middle French rebuffer < Italian ribuffare to disturb, reprimand, derivative of ribuffo (noun), equivalent to ri- re- + buffo puff; see buffoon

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Rebuff

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

rebuff popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 79% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

rebuff usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for rebuff

noun rebuff

  • adjuration — a solemn charge or command
  • barb — A barb is a sharp curved point near the end of an arrow or fish-hook which makes it difficult to pull out.
  • brush-off — a refusal to talk or listen to someone; abrupt or final dismissal or rebuff.
  • call down — to request or invoke
  • call-down — to cry out in a loud voice; shout: He called her name to see if she was home.

verb rebuff

  • animadvert — to comment with strong criticism (upon); make censorious remarks (about)
  • be-little — to regard or portray as less impressive or important than appearances indicate; depreciate; disparage.
  • beat back — to force to retreat; drive back
  • beat off — to drive back; repel
  • beg off — to ask to be released from an engagement, obligation, etc

Antonyms for rebuff

verb rebuff

  • bring forth — to give birth to
  • call forth — to cause (something) to come into action or existence
  • caricaturing — a picture, description, etc., ludicrously exaggerating the peculiarities or defects of persons or things: His caricature of the mayor in this morning's paper is the best he's ever drawn.
  • cave in — If something such as a roof or a ceiling caves in, it collapses inwards.
  • come around — If someone comes around or comes round to your house, they call there to see you.

Top questions with rebuff

  • what does rebuff mean?
  • what is the meaning of rebuff?
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See also

Matching words

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