repudiate

[ri-pyoo-dee-eyt]

verb (used with object)

repudiated, repudiating 

1. to reject as having no authority or binding force.

   to repudiate a claim.

   Synonyms: disclaim, discard, disavow
   Antonyms: accept

2. to cast off or disown.

   to repudiate a son.

3. to reject with disapproval or condemnation.

   to repudiate a new doctrine.

   Synonyms: disapprove, condemn, disown, renounce
   Antonyms: approve

4. to reject with denial.

   to repudiate a charge as untrue.

5. to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality, etc.

repudiate

/ rɪˈpjuːdɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to reject the authority or validity of; refuse to accept or ratify

   Congress repudiated the treaty that the President had negotiated

2. to refuse to acknowledge or pay (a debt)

3. to cast off or disown (a son, lover, etc)

Other Word Forms

• repudiative adjective
• repudiation noun
• repudiable adjective
• repudiator noun
• nonrepudiable adjective
• nonrepudiative adjective
• unrepudiable adjective
• unrepudiated adjective
• unrepudiative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of repudiate¹

First recorded in 1535–45; from Latin repudiātus (past participle of repudiāre “to reject, refuse”), equivalent to repudi(um) “a casting off, divorce” ( re- + pud(ere) “to make ashamed, feel shame” + -ium noun suffix ) + -ātus past participle sufffix; re-, pudendum, -ium, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of repudiate¹

C16: from Latin repudiāre to put away, from repudium a separation, divorce, from _re- + pudēre to be ashamed

Example Sentences

He also said that his remark that immigration risked turning the UK into an "island of strangers" was a mistake and repudiates much else of the political strategy of his first year in office.

From BBC

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

Asked about his claim – repudiated by Israel - that thousands of lorries were waiting on the border to enter Gaza, Mr Fletcher repeated that he especially needed to be "careful and really precise".

From BBC

He added Sir Keir's words "repudiated everything" he had previously stood for, claiming the prime minister had stood for the Labour leadership in 2020 on a policy of "supporting mass migration".

From BBC

He repudiated the luxurious trappings favored by some cardinals, and his hands-on devotion to the poor broke with many long-standing traditions, and added a populist flair to others.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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