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Many English verbs begin with the prefix re-, meaning “again” or “backward,” so we wouldn’t criticize you for drawing a connection between rebuff and buff, a verb meaning “to polish or shine.” But rebuff would beg to differ: this word comes to us from the Middle French verb rebuffer, which traces back to the Old Italian ribuffare, meaning “to reprimand.” (Buff, in contrast, comes from the Middle French noun buffle, meaning “wild ox”). A similar word, rebuke, shares the “criticize” sense of rebuff, but not the “reject” sense; one can rebuke another’s actions or policies, but one does not rebuke the advances of another, for example. Like rebuke, rebuff can also be used as a noun, as in “The proposal was met with a stern rebuff from the Board of Trustees.”
Examples of rebuff in a Sentence
Lindsay Whitehurst, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
When Rey still rebuffs his offer to join the First Order with him, Kylo assumes the role of Supreme Leader.
—As seen in The Last Jedi.
—Nick Romano, EW.com, 25 May 2025
The Giants tried to move up to No. 3 to select Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft, but were rebuffed by New England.
—Dan Pompei, New York Times, 19 May 2025
Although Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky offered to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin rebuffed the invitation.
—Gabe Whisnant, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for rebuff
Cite this Entry
“Rebuff.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rebuff. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
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