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Definition of spurn

spurn

/spɜːrn/
spurn
Plural:spurns
•
Past Simple:spurned
•
Past Participle:spurned
•
Present Participle:spurning
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spurn Lexical Profile

spurn Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To reject with disdain or contempt.

Example

"The author chose to spurn the lucrative contract in order to maintain creative control over her novel."

2

To kick or strike away with the foot (archaic or literary).

Example

"In the ancient epic, the hero rose from the dust to spurn the fallen shield with his heel."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• noun

1

A contemptuous rejection or disdainful refusal.

Example

"The diplomat remained composed despite the public spurn of his peace proposal."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for spurn
Antonyms
View all antonyms for spurn

• Rhymes for spurn

• Nearby Words

spur
spurge
spuriously
spurn
spurt
sputnik
sputter

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from Old English spurnan ('to kick away, strike against, or reject'), sharing an ancient Germanic root with the word 'spur'. Its figurative sense of contemptuous rejection developed from the literal act of kicking something away.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spurn. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spurn
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