rejection

noun

ri-ˈjek-shən How to pronounce rejection (audio)
Definition of rejectionnext
1
as in denial
a refusal to confirm the truth of a statement made a flat rejection of the charges against him

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in refusal
an unwillingness to grant something asked for the judge's swift rejection of the lawyer's request for a recess

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in discard
something separated from a group or lot for not being as good as the others that pile is for rejections, and this one is for applications we'll be accepting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of rejection Bullying, exclusion and rejection can take a real emotional toll, especially when teens struggle to form reliable friendships. — Ashley Lynch, Sacbee.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Bullying, exclusion and rejection can take a real emotional toll, especially when a teen is struggling to build reliable friendships. — Ashley Lynch, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Oct. 2026 The court has deferred a decision on the lease and sublease rejections until a hearing Wednesday. — Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 12 Oct. 2026 Silver brushed off this week’s rejection as a bump in the road. — Alex Sherman, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for rejection
Recent Examples of Synonyms for rejection
  1. denial
  2. refusal
  3. discard
  4. reject
  5. second
  6. cull
Noun
  • But anyone who, in september, did not believe this D Corp was highly vulnerable, was in very deep denial.
    — James Mirtle, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Roy, who has been part of negotiations since 2014, said he’s never seen denials like that before.
    — Corey Schmidt, Sacbee.com, 15 Oct. 2026
Definition of denial
Noun
  • The ruling did not, however, address the question of the administration's periodic refusal since the ban to permit CNN's journalists into smaller spaces where the full press corps cannot fit simultaneously, such as Air Force One or the Oval Office.
    — David Folkenflik, NPR, 14 Oct. 2026
  • What makes the guest list truly striking is its refusal to stay neatly within the lines of traditional fashion.
    — Arthur Zaczkiewicz, Footwear News, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of refusal
Noun
  • Drawing on classic trial films and cartoon lore, director Dave Green crafts an underdog story that mirrors the movie’s own David-versus-Goliath journey from studio discard to theatrical release.
    — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026
  • If liquid collects on the top of the discard, stir it in before using.
    — Better Homes & Gardens, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of discard
Noun
  • All three are crime drama-thrillers, the most exportable and ordered of program types, but all three reject tropes of the genre.
    — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026
  • Pollock's rejects were the source material for Bald Eagle, according to Kumar.
    — Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of reject
Noun
  • The ability for anyone to generate strategy, code, or creative work in seconds effectively filled in the moats built on blitzscaling overnight.
    — Matt Alt, Fortune, 18 Oct. 2026
  • But, the heartbreak would come sneaking around the bend over what might be the wildest 20 seconds of recent Big Ten memory, thanks to the insane final few minutes.
    — Trey Wallace OutKick, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of second
Noun
  • The news comes only 24 hours after the streamer underwent a massive cull, laying off around 1,000 employees.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 15 Oct. 2026
  • Others worry about the cull’s potential impact on the shark species.
    — Moná Thomas, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2026
Definition of cull

Browse Nearby Words

rejecting
rejection
rejections
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Cite this Entry

“Rejection.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rejection. Accessed 20 Oct. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on rejection

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about rejection

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