rebuff

/ˈribəf/

/ˈribəf/

Other forms: rebuffed; rebuffs; rebuffing

If you rebuff someone, you reject or snub him. You might decide to rebuff a classmate's invitation to the dance after hearing him gossip meanly about a friend.

Although the verb rebuff is a somewhat old fashioned one to use for social relationships, it's still common in the world of diplomacy. One country's rebuff of another might start a war, or end peace talks, or otherwise reverberate through the world of international relations. You can also use rebuff as a noun — deliberately ignoring your sister's text message is one example of a rebuff. The Italian root word, ribuffo, combines ri, expressing opposition, and buffo, "a puff."

Definitions of rebuff

1. noun

   a deliberate discourteous act (usually as an expression of anger or disapproval)
   synonyms: slight

   types:

   cold shoulder, cut, snub

   a refusal to recognize someone you know

   silent treatment

   an aloof refusal to speak to someone you know

   type of:

   discourtesy, offence, offense, offensive activity

   a lack of politeness; a failure to show regard for others; wounding the feelings or others
2. noun

   an instance of driving away or warding off
   synonyms: repulse, snub

   type of:

   rejection

   the speech act of rejecting
3. verb

   reject outright and bluntly
   synonyms: repel, snub

   type of:

   disdain, freeze off, pooh-pooh, reject, scorn, spurn, turn down

   reject with contempt
4. verb

   force or drive back
   “rebuff the attack”

   synonyms: drive back, fight off, repel, repulse

   type of:

   defend, fight, fight back, fight down, oppose

   fight against or resist strongly