repudiate
Refuse to accept, reject, or deny the validity of something
Examples
In a meeting
“The company repudiated the allegations in a formal statement.”
Over coffee
“He repudiated his earlier comments and apologized publicly.”
Why this word
reject
Repudiate is formal rejection with denial of validity or authority, reject is simple refusal
deny
Repudiate involves forceful rejection of association or responsibility, deny is just negation
disown
Repudiate is broader formal rejection including ideas and claims, disown is specifically severing connection
Usage tip
Use for strong, formal rejection especially of claims, accusations, or previous positions
Etymology
Latin 'repudiare' (re- back + pudere to make ashamed) — to cast off, divorce, reject
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Related words
rebuff
Reject someone or something in an abrupt or ungracious manner
dismiss
Treat as unworthy of serious consideration; reject as invalid
renounce
To formally give up, reject, or disown a claim, belief, or course of action
broach
To bring up or introduce a topic for discussion
streamline
To make a process or system more efficient by simplifying or eliminating unnecessary steps.
delegate
To assign a task or responsibility to someone else.