Spurn Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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spurn

[spəːn ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

reject with disdain

To spurn means to reject with disdain or contempt. It implies a strong feeling of dislike or disrespect towards something or someone. When you spurn someone or something, you are refusing to accept or consider them, often in a harsh or scornful manner.

Synonyms

despise, disdain, ignore, reject, scorn.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spurn	Used when forcefully rejecting something with a sense of disdain or contempt. She spurned his offer of help, thinking it was insincere The artist spurned traditional methods in favor of a more avant-garde approach
reject	Used when refusing to accept, agree to, believe in, or make use of something. They rejected the proposal because it was too costly She was heartbroken when her application was rejected
despise	Indicates a strong feeling of dislike and disapproval towards someone or something. He despises liars more than anything else She despised the cold, preferring warm weather
disdain	Used when someone considers something or someone as unworthy of respect or attention. She looked at the outdated fashion with disdain He showed his disdain for the corrupt practices of the government
scorn	Expresses a very strong feeling of no respect for someone or something, often accompanied by ridicule. He scorns those who cheat in exams The critics scorned the movie for its poor storyline
ignore	Simply means to pay no attention to someone or something, without necessarily having a negative attitude. He ignored the phone call because he was in a meeting The teacher ignored the noise outside the classroom

Examples of usage

He spurned her offer of help, believing he could handle the situation on his own.
She spurned his advances, making it clear she was not interested in a romantic relationship.
They spurned the proposal, deeming it unworthy of further discussion.

^{Context #2 | Noun}

a kick

As a noun, spurn refers to a kick or a striking motion with the foot. It can be used in the context of kicking a ball in sports or delivering a forceful blow with the foot.

Synonyms

blow, boot, kick, strike.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
spurn	Used to describe rejecting something or someone with disdain or contempt. Often implies a strong sense of disapproval. She spurned his advances at the party. The proposal was spurned by the board members.
kick	Usually involves hitting something or someone with the foot. It can be used both in neutral and negative contexts. She kicked the soccer ball into the goal. He was angry and kicked the door in frustration.
strike	Signifies hitting someone or something, often with great force. Can also refer to a sudden action or occurrence, such as a labor strike. The worker was struck by a falling object. The union decided to strike for better wages.
blow	Refers to hitting something or someone with force or delivering a strong impact. Can also mean a sudden shock or disappointment. The boxer delivered a powerful blow to his opponent. The loss of the contract was a major blow to the company.
boot	Typically means to kick someone or something forcefully, often to remove them. Can also be used in a figurative sense to mean dismissing someone. He booted the ball across the field. The manager decided to boot the unproductive employee from the team.

Examples of usage

He gave the ball a powerful spurn, sending it flying towards the goal.
The horse delivered a swift spurn to the intruder, warning them to stay away.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Literature

Used frequently in poetry and plays, it often conveys strong feelings of disdain or bitterness.
Shakespeare employed the term in several of his plays to express fierce rejection or contempt.

Psychology

Spurning often reflects deep-seated emotions like anger or humiliation, making it more than just a simple refusal.
People may spurn others as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from potential pain or rejection.

Pop Culture

In various films, characters often spurn advances or offers, which showcases their strength or independence.
The act of spurning is often dramatized in music and stories to highlight themes of love and heartbreak.

History

Historical texts often illustrate how spurning was a method of maintaining social boundaries and personal dignity.
Spurning has been documented as a powerful act of defiance in various movements, where individuals rejected oppressive offers.

Origin of 'spurn'

Main points about word origin

Derived from the Old English word 'speeran', which means to kick or to reject.
The word has been used in English since the 12th century, originally emphasizing a physical rejection.

The word 'spurn' originates from Middle English 'spurnen', which in turn comes from Old English 'spurnan', meaning 'to kick'. The sense of rejecting or showing disdain towards something emerged in the late Middle Ages. Over time, 'spurn' has retained its connotation of rejection and contempt, evolving to encompass both physical and metaphorical meanings.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #27,081, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.

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27078 onyx
27079 masochistic
27080 proneness
27081 spurn
27082 kine
27083 mislaid
27084 munching
...