Definitions

spurn

[spurn] / spɜrn /

VERB

turn away; ignore

Synonyms

STRONGEST

despise disdain dismiss disregard flout rebuff refuse reject repudiate scorn snub turn down

STRONG

air contemn cut decline disapprove drop dump flush nix reprobate repulse scoff slight sneer

WEAK

cold-shoulder give the cold shoulder hold in contempt look down on not hear of pass by sneeze at steer clear turn nose up at

Antonyms

STRONGEST

OK accept admire allow approve esteem include like love respect sanction welcome

STRONG

ascend compliment praise rise

WEAK

embrace want

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.

Heteropessimism exists alongside heterosexuality not because being straight is terrible or embarrassing or out of fashion, but because it is, first and foremost, an institution — one that in many places remains dangerous to spurn.

From Salon • Jun. 3, 2026

Rather, they are seizing employment opportunities that others spurn.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 2, 2026

Caleb Williams, the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from USC, says he is happy in Chicago a year after he and his father discussed ways to spurn the Bears.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2025

A tense finish saw 27-year-old Bublik spurn one match point - and save five break points - before eventually getting over the line.

From BBC • Jun. 2, 2025

I hoped that some bright kid at Ohio State University who really wanted to be an oceanographer would read my book, spurn the offer from Goldman Sachs, and set out to sea.

From "The Big Short" by Michael Lewis

Vocabulary lists containing spurn

Dissed List: Breakup Words for Valentine's Day

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Grade 11, List 4

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"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" by Patrick Henry (1775)

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