rejection
rih-JEHK-shuhn
Rejection (noun) means the act of refusing or turning down something or someone. Example: “Every writer has to learn to live with rejection from publishers.”
noun
1
The act of refusing or turning down something or someone.
"Every writer has to learn to live with rejection from publishers."
"He took the rejection letter better than expected."
"Fear of rejection kept her from asking him out for months."
2
A medical reaction in which the body attacks a transplanted organ or tissue.
"Medicine taken every day can help prevent rejection of a new kidney."
"The patient was admitted to hospital because of suspected rejection of the transplant."
"Doctors watched closely for signs of organ rejection."
How to use rejection
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe act, or feeling, of being turned down.
Common pairings
fear of rejection
face rejection
organ rejection
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Word forms
- Plural
- rejections
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Every writer has to learn to live with _____ from publishers.
Etymology
Came from French réjection, or directly from Latin reiectiōnem, the accusative of Latin reiectiō. It displaced the native Old English āworpennes (literally “thrown-out-ness”).
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rejection
region
ablation
allusion
emulsion
ideation
novation
diffusion
elocution
extension
oxidation
perfusion
selection
See all rhymes for rejection →
Frequently asked questions
What does “rejection” mean?
The word “rejection” means the act of refusing or turning down something or someone. In plain terms, the act, or feeling, of being turned down.
How do you pronounce “rejection”?
“Rejection” is pronounced rih-JEHK-shuhn (/ɹɪˈd͡ʒɛkʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “rejection” in a sentence?
Here is “rejection” used in a sentence: “He took the rejection letter better than expected.”
What part of speech is “rejection”?
“Rejection” is a noun.
Is “rejection” a common word?
“Rejection” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “rejection” have?
“Rejection” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of refusing or turning down something or someone.
What is the difference between 'rejection' and 'refusal'?
A refusal is the act of saying no to a request or offer, focusing on declining to do or accept something. A rejection is broader and often more personal, meaning to turn down someone or something as not good enough, such as a rejected application or a rejected candidate.
What is the difference between 'rejection' and 'denial'?
Rejection means turning down or refusing something or someone offered to you. Denial means stating that something is not true, or refusing to grant a request; you deny an accusation, but you reject a proposal.
What is the opposite of 'rejection'?
The main opposite of rejection is 'acceptance,' and depending on context 'approval' or 'admission' also fit. Where rejection turns something down, acceptance takes it in or agrees to it.
What is transplant rejection?
Transplant rejection is a medical reaction in which the body's immune system attacks a transplanted organ or tissue, treating it as foreign. It is a distinct sense of the word from the everyday meaning of turning something down.
