Repudiate: meaning, definitions and examples

Used in formal contexts where someone rejects the validity or truth of something, often official documents, affiliations, or responsibilities.

• The politician repudiated the accusations of corruption.
• She repudiated the contract, claiming it was signed under duress.

Employed in situations where someone refuses to accept, take, or agree to something, can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• The company rejected his job application.
• She rejected the offer to join the club.

Commonly used in everyday contexts where someone refuses to accept or acknowledge the truth or existence of something.

• He denied any involvement in the crime.
• She denied knowing the person.

Used when someone formally or officially declares that they no longer have any connection with or responsibility towards a person or thing, often involving family or personal relations.

• After their argument, his father threatened to disown him.
• She disowned her past actions.

Often used in formal contexts where someone declares publicly that they are giving up a title, position, belief, or affiliation.

• The prince renounced his claim to the throne.
• They renounced their previous way of life.

Repudiate is typically used in a formal context to strongly reject or deny association with something. It can be used in legal, political, or social contexts.

• The politician repudiated the accusations of corruption.
• He repudiated his former beliefs after discovering they were wrong.

Break is a more general and less formal term used to describe the act of causing something to separate into pieces or cease to function. It can be used in both physical and abstract contexts.

• Be careful not to break the glass.
• She broke the promise she made to her friend.

Violate is used to describe the act of breaking or not respecting a rule, law, or agreement, often implying harm or disrespect. It can have a strong negative connotation.

• The company was criticized for violating workers' rights.
• He violated the terms of the contract.

Breach is often used in legal, formal, and technical contexts to describe the act of breaking a rule, law, agreement, or security system.

• The company was fined for breaching the environmental regulations.
• There was a security breach in the database.

Disavow is a formal term that means to deny any responsibility or support for something. It is often used in a political or legal context.

• The organization disavowed any connection to the controversial figure.
• He disavowed the actions of his predecessor.