rebuff
Reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner
Examples
In a meeting
“The board rebuffed our proposal without even reviewing the full analysis.”
Over coffee
“I asked him for help, but he completely rebuffed me.”
Why this word
reject
Rebuff implies a blunt, often rude refusal, while reject is neutral and can be polite
decline
Rebuff suggests abruptness or coldness, while decline is a polite or formal refusal
refuse
Rebuff emphasizes the harsh or dismissive manner of refusal, while refuse simply means saying no
Usage tip
Implies a sharp, sometimes rude rejection. Use when the refusal was particularly dismissive or harsh.
Etymology
Italian 'ribuffare' — to reprimand, from ri- (back) + buffo (puff, gust)
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