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Definitions

rebuff

[ri-buhf, ree-buhf, ri-buhf] / rɪˈbʌf, ˈri bʌf, rɪˈbʌf /
NOUN
turning away; ignoring
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rebuke rejection reprimand snub
STRONG
check cut defeat denial discouragement insult nix opposition refusal repulse slight turndown
WEAK
brush-off cold shoulder go-by hard time kick in the teeth nothing doing thumbs-down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
praise
STRONG
approval compliment
WEAK
inclusion welcome
VERB
turn away; give the cold shoulder
Synonyms
STRONGEST
chide deny dismiss disregard fend off ignore oppose rebuke refuse reject repudiate resist snub spurn turn down
STRONG
check cross cut decline disallow discourage neglect repel reprove repulse slight
WEAK
beat off brush off cold-shoulder hold off keep at a distance keep at arm's length keep at bay lash out at not hear of pass up push back put in one's place put off send away stave off tell off ward off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
OK accept acknowledge admit allow approve compliment go along grant note pay attention praise regard sanction welcome
STRONG
aid assist attract help permit
WEAK
hug include take in

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They are seen as North Korea's latest rebuff of South Korea's peace overtures, according to analysts.

From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026

The board’s decision to rebuff Paramount is the latest development in the fight for the future of Warner.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 7, 2026

And those limits create a “judicial responsibility” for courts to rebuff the president when he deploys the Guard “in a situation far divorced” from what Congress envisioned.

From Slate • Oct. 21, 2025

“Males don’t live very long, and females often aggressively rebuff potential mates, so small or weak males may never successfully reproduce,” Yanega added.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 4, 2025

“But will not the Count take his rebuff wisely? Since he has been driven from England, will he not avoid it, as a tiger does the village from which he has been hunted?”

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker