Definitions

repudiate

[ri-pyoo-dee-eyt] / rɪˈpyu diˌeɪt /

VERB

reject; turn one's back on

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abandon break with disavow dismiss disown forsake recant renounce repeal rescind retract reverse revoke spurn

STRONG

abjure apostatize banish cast decline default defect demur deny desert disapprove discard disclaim dishonor disinherit dump flush nix oust rat refuse reprobate tergiversate turn

WEAK

be against cast off cut off disacknowledge fly in the face of tergiverse turn down wash one's hands of

Antonyms

STRONGEST

accept allow approve emphasize enforce keep sanction welcome

STRONG

acknowledge admit agree consent go along grant hold retain

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.

He argues that the city could run them—simply fold the MTA and let New York State repudiate the debt.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

In response, Allister said: "If Claire is trying to pretend that I am insincere in my condemnation of violence then I utterly repudiate and indeed resent that comment."

From BBC • Jun. 10, 2025

“Happy Days,” in a way, was the ’70s using the ’50s to repudiate the ’60s, or at least the divisive aftermath of them that fueled the one-liners in Archie Bunker’s living room.

From New York Times • Jan. 15, 2024

It took the Court 74 years to repudiate that ruling.

From Salon • Nov. 15, 2023

Today, segments of Western society publicly repudiate racism.

From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond

Vocabulary lists containing repudiate

"Letter from Birmingham Jail" by Martin Luther King, Jr. (1963)

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Grade 10, List 1

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1984

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