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spurnto reject with contempt or disdain; to refuse or decline

Part of speech: VERB

Definition: to reject with contempt or disdain; to refuse or decline

Pronunciation (IPA): /spɜːrn/

Example Sentences

  • The proud cat spurned the cheap cat food and walked away with its tail high.
  • He spurned the company's generous offer to work for a competitor.
  • The celebrity spurned the paparazzi's questions like a boss rejecting terrible PowerPoint presentations.

spurn

VERB

[/spɜːrn/]

to reject with contempt or disdain; to refuse or decline

a well-dressed woman pushes away an expensive bouquet of roses with a disgusted expression on her face. She turns her head away from a hopeful man who had just presented the flowers to her. The man's face shows hurt and confusion as his romantic gesture is completely rejected. The flowers scatter slightly on the white tablecloth as she continues to wave them away dismissively. Other restaurant guests glance over at the awkward scene unfolding.  someone being spurned and rejected with contempt or disdain
💡 Concept

a well-dressed woman pushes away an expensive bouquet of roses with a disgusted expression on her face. She turns her head away from a hopeful man who had just presented the flowers to her. The man's face shows hurt and confusion as his romantic gesture is completely rejected. The flowers scatter slightly on the white tablecloth as she continues to wave them away dismissively. Other restaurant guests glance over at the awkward scene unfolding. someone being spurned and rejected with contempt or disdain

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/spɜːrn/
🇬🇧 UK/spɜːn/

🌳Etymology

Rootspurn

Origin

From Old English 'spurnan' meaning 'to kick with the foot.' The meaning evolved from the physical act of kicking something away to the metaphorical sense of rejecting or refusing something with contempt.

Breakdown

spurn (root meaning 'to kick away/reject') - no clear prefix or suffix breakdown, derives as a complete word from Old English

🎵Rhyme

burnturnlearnstern
burn
turn
learn
stern

🔗Collocations

spurn advances
spurn an offer
spurn help
spurn advice
spurn love

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The proud cat spurned the cheap cat food and walked away with its tail high.

He spurned the company's generous offer to work for a competitor.

😄 Fun example

The celebrity spurned the paparazzi's questions like a boss rejecting terrible PowerPoint presentations.

She spurned all attempts at reconciliation after the betrayal.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

rejectrefuserebuffdeclinedismiss

Antonyms

acceptembracewelcome

Related

scorndisdaincontemptsnub

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