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rebuff Definition

re·buff (ri buf′)

noun

  1. an abrupt, blunt refusal of offered advice, help, etc.
  2. any check or repulse

Etymology: MFr rebuffe < It rabbuffo < rabbuffare, to disarrange, altered by metathesis (prob. infl. by buffare, to blow) < baruffare, to scuffle < Langobardic *biraufan, akin to OHG biroufan, to tussle, pluck out

transitive verb

  1. to refuse bluntly; snub
  2. to check or repulse

rebuff Synonyms

rebuff

n.

repulse, snub, reprimand, rejection; see insult, rebuke, refusal.

rebuff Synonyms

rebuff

v.

  1. To reject

    refuse, repel, check, snub, dismiss, repudiate, spurn, send away, turn away, ignore, slight, disregard, put in one's place, reprove, rebuke, oppose, chide, repulse, cross, decline, resist, keep at a distance, keep at arm's length, disallow, turn down, give the cold shoulder*, give the go-by*, cut*, slam the door in one's face*, not hear of*, put off*, brush off*, lash out at*, tell where to get off*, put down*, give the brushoff*, send packing*, tell to get lost*; see also deny, neglect 1, refuse.

  2. To beat back

    drive back, push back, ward off, fend off, stave off, hold off, keep off, beat off, fight off, keep at bay; see also repel 1, resist 1.

rebuff Usage Examples

Object

  • suggestion: Darling rebuffed suggestions of vertical integration with the usual stuff about how it would be difficult on lines where there are several TOCs.
  • call: Meanwhile, ministers have again rebuffed calls from the Scottish National Party to intervene.
  • attempt: He repeatedly rebuffed attempts by Alistair Campbell, the Gus Hedges of the government, to polish the document his way.
  • claim: CIPD adviser Rebecca Clake has also rebuffed claims by employers ' body the CBI that employers are increasingly negative about family-friendly practices.
  • approach: Cripps, in the eye of the storm, rebuffed an approach from the Defense Committee.
  • bid: Green's recently rebuffed bid for ailing high-street retailer Marks & Spencer, earlier this year, was well publicized.

Converse of object

  • suffer: The Council hazarded its own dignity in risking a friendly gesture and suffered a rebuff.
  • receive: An approach to Ryanair regarding O'Leary's charitable donations just receives a rebuff.
  • give: It is a mere delirium of the present semi-official organ to whom there is nobody to give the worthy rebuff.
  • take: You cannot be successful calling prospects unless you learn to take the rebuffs.
  • meet: You thrust away The instinct of a friend Or else you fear that You may meet rebuff.

Adjective modifier

  • repeated: If you meet repeated rebuffs to your invitations, respect this.
  • sharp: Henchard shut up her argument with a sharp rebuff.

Modifying Another Word

  • firmly: But if they do not, your attempts elsewhere may be firmly rebuffed.
  • again: Meanwhile, ministers have again rebuffed calls from the Scottish National Party to intervene.
  • also: Lord Warner also rebuffed calls to withdraw current advice on ME, which lists it as a mental disorder.
  • initially: Lloyds ' $ 28 billion offer was initially rebuffed by Abbey.
  • repeatedly: He repeatedly rebuffed attempts by Alistair Campbell, the Gus Hedges of the government, to polish the document his way.
  • immediately: Home Secretary David Blunkett immediately rebuffed the committee's calls for reclassification.

Browse dictionary entries near rebuff

  1. ‹ rebroadcast
  2. ‹ rebozo
  3. ‹ rebound
  4. ‹ reborn
  5. ‹ reboot
  6. ‹ reboant
  7. ‹ rebirth
  8. ‹ rebellious
  9. ‹ rebellion
  10. ‹ rebeldom
  1. rebuild ›
  2. rebuilt ›
  3. rebuke ›
  4. rebus ›
  5. rebut ›
  6. rebuttable presumption ›
  7. rebuttal ›
  8. rebuttal evidence ›
  9. rebutter ›
  10. rec ›