Repudiation: meaning, definitions and examples

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repudiation

 

[ rɪˌpjuː.diˈeɪ.ʃən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

legal term

The act of rejecting or disowning a legal obligation or relationship. Repudiation can occur when one party fails to fulfill their contractual obligations.

Synonyms

denial, disavowal, rejection.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repudiation

Use 'repudiation' in legal, formal, or serious contexts when rejecting or renouncing something officially or publicly.

  • The leader's repudiation of the treaty was unexpected.
  • Her repudiation of the accusations made headlines.
rejection

Use 'rejection' in general contexts when an offer, proposal, or idea is not accepted. It can also refer to the act of dismissing someone or something.

  • She felt hurt by his rejection of her invitation.
  • The application was met with rejection.
denial

This word is often used in everyday situations when someone refuses to accept the truth or reality of a statement or fact. It can also have a negative connotation when someone is avoiding reality.

  • His denial of the rumors didn't convince anyone.
  • She is in denial about her problems.
disavowal

This word is suitable in formal contexts where someone rejects responsibility or denies involvement in something they were previously associated with.

  • The politician's disavowal of the controversial policy was seen as a strategic move.
  • There was a public disavowal of the group’s violent actions.

Examples of usage

  • The company's repudiation of the contract led to a lengthy legal battle.
  • Her repudiation of the inheritance shocked her family.
Context #2 | Noun

general term

The act of refusing to accept or acknowledge something. It can also refer to the rejection of beliefs or ideas.

Synonyms

denial, refusal, rejection.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
repudiation

Repudiation is often used in formal or legal contexts when someone refuses to accept something as true or valid. It can also refer to rejecting a claim, proposal, or agreement.

  • The company's repudiation of the contract led to a lengthy court battle
  • His public repudiation of the accusations surprised everyone
rejection

Rejection is used when someone declines or dismisses something, such as an idea, proposal, or person. It can be applied in social, professional, and personal contexts and can have a negative connotation.

  • The rejection of the job application was disappointing
  • She felt hurt by his rejection of her invitation
denial

Denial is usually applied when someone refuses to accept or acknowledge an unpleasant truth or reality. It can be used in personal, psychological, or social contexts, and often carries a negative connotation.

  • Her denial of the problem only made things worse
  • The politician's denial of the scandal was not convincing
refusal

Refusal is used in situations where someone declines to comply with a request, offer, or demand. It is more casual than 'repudiation' and 'denial' and is commonly used in everyday interactions.

  • His refusal to help shocked everyone
  • They faced outright refusal when they asked for an extension

Examples of usage

  • His repudiation of traditional values caused controversy within the community.
  • The country's repudiation of the dictator's rule marked a turning point in its history.

Translations

Translations of the word "repudiation" in other languages:

🇵🇹 repúdio

🇮🇳 अस्वीकृति

🇩🇪 Ablehnung

🇮🇩 penolakan

🇺🇦 відмова

🇵🇱 odrzucenie

🇯🇵 拒絶 (きょぜつ)

🇫🇷 répudiation

🇪🇸 repudio

🇹🇷 reddetme

🇰🇷 거부

🇸🇦 رفض

🇨🇿 odmítnutí

🇸🇰 odmietnutie

🇨🇳 拒绝 (jùjué)

🇸🇮 zavrnitev

🇮🇸 höfnun

🇰🇿 бас тарту

🇬🇪 უარყოფა

🇦🇿 rəddetmə

🇲🇽 repudio

Etymology

The word 'repudiation' originates from the Latin word 'repudiare', which means 'to cast off' or 'to reject'. In legal contexts, it has been used to describe the act of rejecting or disowning legal obligations since the early 17th century. Over time, its usage has expanded to encompass a broader sense of rejection or denial in various contexts.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,346, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.