rejecting
5 synonyms and 0 antonyms for rejecting, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The act of refusing to accept, believe, or agree to something.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use rejecting
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Frequently asked questions
What does “rejecting” mean?
The word “rejecting” means the act of refusing to accept, believe, or agree to something. In plain terms, turning something down or refusing to accept it, whether that's an idea, a request, or a person.
How do you use “rejecting” in a sentence?
Here is “rejecting” used in a sentence: “The board's rejecting of the proposal surprised no one after the budget cuts.”
What part of speech is “rejecting”?
“Rejecting” is a noun.
Is “rejecting” a common word?
“Rejecting” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between rejecting and refusing?
Rejecting means refusing to accept, believe, or agree to something, often implying a deliberate dismissal after consideration, such as rejecting a proposal or an idea. Refusing is broader and can apply to declining a request, an offer, or an action, without necessarily implying prior evaluation. Rejecting often carries a stronger sense of formal or final dismissal.
What does rejecting an idea mean in an academic or professional context?
Rejecting an idea in an academic or professional context means formally declining to accept it, often after review, such as a journal rejecting a submitted paper or a committee rejecting a proposal. It implies the idea was considered and then dismissed rather than ignored.
Is rejecting always a negative or hurtful action?
Rejecting is not inherently negative; it simply describes refusing to accept, believe, or agree to something, which can be a neutral or reasoned decision, such as rejecting a flawed hypothesis. However, in interpersonal contexts, being on the receiving end of rejecting behavior can feel hurtful, even when the decision itself is reasonable.