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View synonyms for spurn

spurn

[ spurn ]

verb (used with object)

  1. to reject with disdain; scorn.

    Antonyms: accept

  2. to treat with contempt; despise.
  3. to kick or trample with the foot.


verb (used without object)

  1. to show disdain or contempt; scorn something.

noun

  1. disdainful rejection.
  2. contemptuous treatment.

    Synonyms: contumely

  3. a kick.

spurn

/ spɜːn /

verb

  1. to reject (a person or thing) with contempt
  2. archaic.
    whenintr, often foll by against to kick (at)
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an instance of spurning
  2. archaic.
    a kick or thrust
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • ˈspurner, noun
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Other Words From

  • spurn·er noun
  • out·spurn verb (used with object)
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spurn1

First recorded in 1250–1300; (verb) Middle English spurnen, Old English spurnan; cognate with Old Saxon, Old High German spurnan, Old Norse sporna “to kick”; akin to Latin spernere “to put away”; (noun) Middle English: “a kick, contemptuous stroke,” derivative of the verb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of spurn1

Old English spurnan; related to Old Norse sporna, Old High German spurnan, Latin spernere to despise, Lithuanian spiriu to kick
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Synonym Study

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Example Sentences

With surprising speed, however, this country’s leaders came to spurn McKinley’s embrace of a colonial empire with its costly, complicated occupation of overseas territories.

From Salon

The lead detective in the case said he did not think "this is the case of a spurned lover in any way".

From BBC

Anscombe kicked the hosts' first points before Wales spurned a try opportunity when Tomos Williams dropped a pass from Morgan, which in any case might have been forward.

From BBC

Former US Open champion Cilic - making his first appearance since November because of a knee-injury setback - spurned three break points late in the second set that would have put him 5-3 up.

From BBC

After Washington's first fumble, Barkley punched in another score, although the Commanders spurned the chance to draw level as they failed to make a two-point conversion after a field goal and a Terry McLaurin touchdown.

From BBC

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