You know that feeling when you say “no” to something or someone? Maybe a job offer, an idea, or even a gift that just doesn’t fit. Saying “reject” can sound harsh sometimes, but there are many other ways to say it! In this post, I’ll share 25 fun and easy words you can use instead of “reject.” Each one will have a simple explanation and real-life examples so you can use them with confidence. Let’s dive in and learn new ways to say “no” like a pro!
1. Decline
To decline means to politely say no to something. It is often used when you want to refuse an offer or invitation without sounding rude. For example, if someone invites you to a party but you can’t go, you might say, “I have to decline the invitation because I’m busy.” Decline sounds calm and respectful. You can also use it when turning down a job offer or a request. Saying “I decline your offer” shows you are serious but still polite. It’s a nice way to say no without hurting anyone’s feelings.
2. Dismiss
To dismiss means to decide something is not important or not worth your attention. When you dismiss an idea, you are rejecting it because you think it’s not good. For example, if your boss says, “We should try this new plan,” but you think it won’t work, you might say, “Let’s dismiss that plan for now.” You can also dismiss people’s concerns if you think they don’t matter. It’s a strong way to say no, often quickly or without much thought.
3. Refuse
Refuse means to say no clearly and firmly. It is often used when someone asks you to do something, and you don’t want to do it. For example, if someone asks you for money and you don’t want to give, you can say, “I refuse to lend you money right now.” Refuse sounds strong and serious. It means you do not accept or agree with something. People use refuse when they want to be very clear about not wanting something.
4. Spurn
Spurn means to reject something or someone in a proud or cold way. It is often used when someone refuses help, love, or an offer because they do not want it or they feel better without it. For example, “She spurned his offer of help and walked away.” Spurn shows you are not just saying no, but also pushing something away strongly. It can sound a little harsh or emotional, like when someone feels hurt or proud.
5. Turn down
To turn down something means to say no to an offer or request. It is a very common and simple way to reject without sounding rude. For example, if a friend offers you a ride and you want to walk, you can say, “Thanks, but I’ll turn down the ride.” You can turn down job offers, invitations, or suggestions. It is a casual way to refuse something, perfect for everyday conversations.
6. Exclude
Exclude means to leave someone or something out on purpose. It means you reject them from a group, event, or activity. For example, if a team excludes one person from a project, it means they don’t let that person join. You can say, “They decided to exclude me from the meeting.” Exclude shows a clear rejection of participation or membership. It is often used in groups or official situations.
7. Brush off
To brush off means to reject or ignore something or someone in a quick, casual way. For example, if someone gives you advice and you don’t want to listen, you can brush off their advice by saying, “I’m fine, thanks.” It shows you don’t think it is important. People often brush off questions, problems, or offers when they don’t want to deal with them. It’s a light way to reject without causing too much trouble.
8. Rebuff
Rebuff means to reject someone or something sharply or clearly. It is often used when someone offers help, love, or an idea, and the other person says no strongly. For example, “He rebuffed her invitation to dinner.” It sounds a bit serious or harsh. Rebuff means you don’t just say no, you also show that you don’t want to accept. It’s often used in formal or strong emotional situations.
9. Snub
To snub means to reject someone by ignoring or treating them as unimportant. For example, if you see a friend but pretend not to notice them, you are snubbing them. You can say, “She snubbed him at the party.” Snubbing is a way to reject without words, by cold behavior. It can hurt feelings because it feels like being pushed away or ignored.
10. Deny
Deny means to say that something is not true or not allowed. It is often used when someone rejects a request or a claim. For example, if you ask for a day off and the boss says, “I deny your request,” it means no. Deny can also mean refusing to admit something. Saying “He denied the charge” means he said it was not true. Deny is a clear way to reject, often in official or serious situations.
11. Repudiate
Repudiate means to refuse to accept or support something strongly. It is a formal way to reject ideas, beliefs, or relationships. For example, “The company repudiated the rumors about closing.” It means they clearly say no and do not agree with something. Repudiate is used in serious talks, like in law, politics, or important decisions. It shows strong rejection, more than just saying no.
12. Decline to accept
This phrase means to say no to something offered or requested. For example, if someone offers you a gift but you don’t want it, you can say, “I decline to accept the gift.” It is a polite way to reject, often used in formal or polite conversation. This phrase shows respect but also a clear no. People use it to refuse politely without offending the person who made the offer.
13. Turn away
To turn away means to refuse to help or allow someone in. For example, if someone asks for a job and the boss says, “We have to turn you away,” it means they reject the person. Turning away can also mean physically moving away from someone to show no interest. Saying “They turned me away at the door” means they did not let you enter. It shows a clear rejection, often in a physical or emotional way.
14. Pass up
To pass up means to reject an opportunity or offer by choosing not to take it. For example, if you get a chance to go to a concert but say no, you are passing up the chance. You could say, “I passed up the job offer because it wasn’t right for me.” Passing up is a casual way to say no to something that might be good but not what you want. It’s a common phrase when talking about chances or offers.
15. Turn one’s back on
This phrase means to reject or ignore someone or something completely, often with a feeling of betrayal or disappointment. For example, “He turned his back on his old friends.” It means he stopped caring or helping them. Turning your back on something shows a strong refusal and sometimes sadness or anger. It is a powerful way to say no, often used for serious situations like friendships or beliefs.
16. Opt out
To opt out means to choose not to participate in something. For example, if there is a group activity and you decide not to join, you can say, “I opted out of the event.” It means you rejected the offer to join by your choice. Opting out is common in schools, work, or clubs. It’s a clear but polite way to say no, showing you made a decision yourself.
17. Brush aside
To brush aside means to reject or ignore something quickly, like a problem or an idea. For example, if someone complains and you say, “Let’s brush that aside for now,” it means you are rejecting the complaint or problem for later. It is a casual way to say no and move on. People use this when they don’t want to spend time on small or unimportant things.
18. Repel
To repel means to push something or someone away because you don’t want it near you. For example, if a bad smell makes you step back, you can say it repels you. In a more emotional sense, if a person’s attitude is bad, they might repel others. Saying “His rude behavior repelled everyone” means people rejected him because of how he acted. Repel is a strong way to show rejection by pushing away.
19. Refute
Refute means to prove that something is wrong or not true. It is often used when rejecting ideas, facts, or accusations. For example, if someone says something wrong about you and you show proof, you refute their claim. Saying “She refuted the false rumors” means she rejected the idea by proving it wrong. Refute is common in debates, discussions, or when correcting mistakes.
20. Exclude
To exclude means to keep someone or something out from a group or place. For example, if a club excludes a person, they don’t let them join. Saying “They excluded him from the team” means he was rejected and not allowed in. Exclude shows a clear no for participation or membership. It can be used in schools, work, or events where only some people are chosen.
21. Resist
Resist means to fight against something or say no to it. For example, if someone offers you bad advice and you don’t want to follow it, you can resist. Saying “She resisted the pressure to quit” means she said no and kept going. Resist shows strength and effort in rejecting. It is often used when rejecting something hard to avoid or against your wishes.
22. Disallow
Disallow means to say no or not permit something officially. For example, a referee can disallow a goal in a game. Saying “The manager disallowed the request” means the manager rejected the request officially. Disallow is a formal way to refuse permission or approval. It is often used in rules, laws, or official decisions to say no clearly.
23. Oppose
To oppose means to disagree with and try to stop something. For example, if there is a new rule and you don’t like it, you can oppose it. Saying “The community opposed the new law” means they rejected the law by saying no. Oppose is a strong way to say no, often with action like protests or arguments. It shows you do not accept or agree with something.
24. Decline
Decline means to say no politely or refuse something. For example, if someone invites you to dinner and you cannot go, you can say, “I must decline, thanks.” Decline is soft and polite. It is used for offers, invitations, or requests. Using decline helps you say no without making the other person feel bad. It is very common in daily life and sounds friendly and respectful.
25. Refuse
Refuse means to say no clearly and strongly. For example, if someone asks you to do something you don’t want, you say, “I refuse.” It is firm and leaves no doubt. Refuse can sound serious or even harsh. People use it when they want to be very clear about not agreeing or accepting something. It’s one of the strongest ways to say no and makes sure the message is understood.
I hope this list of synonyms for reject helps you say no in many different ways. Using different words makes your language more interesting and polite. Next time you want to refuse something, try one of these words and see how it feels. Saying no doesn’t have to be harsh; it can be kind, strong, or casual depending on the word you choose. Keep practicing, and soon you’ll have lots of ways to express yourself clearly and nicely.
