What does rebuff mean?
A rebuff is a firm and often abrupt rejection of a request, offer, greeting, or personal approach. As a verb, it means to turn someone or something away with little enthusiasm or willingness to reconsider; as a noun, it names the rejection itself. The expression is especially associated with formal encounters and carries a distinctly cool, distancing implication. “She rebuffed my suggestion” conveys stronger resistance than “she declined my suggestion,” while “his offer received a rebuff” presents the rejection as a decisive social response. The word can also be used in political, diplomatic, and literary contexts to describe the refusal of an advance or proposal. Although it can sound severe, its formal register makes it useful when describing a clear but restrained dismissal.
To reject or refuse a request, offer, or approach firmly and abruptly.
"The minister rebuffed the reporter's request for a private interview."
Common in formal and literary English; often implies that the person or proposal is turned away without discussion.
A firm, abrupt rejection or refusal.
"Her suggestion met with a rebuff from the director."
Usually describes a rejection of a person, proposal, or approach rather than a refusal of a specific physical action.
The plural is used for separate instances of abrupt rejection.
"The negotiator endured several rebuffs before securing an agreement."
To rebuff someone is to turn them away so decisively that no door is left ajar.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does rebuff come from?
The word entered English from French rebouffer, meaning “to repulse” or “turn away,” in the early modern period. French had borrowed it from the Italian buffare, a verb associated with blowing or puffing, from Latin buffare. The same Italian root contributed to words such as buffet and buffoon, as well as bouffant.
Related word forms
How rebuff is actually used
The word has a formal, sometimes somewhat old-fashioned tone. It suggests a firm rejection that is more pointed than a simple refusal.
Easily confused with rebuff
A rebuff is a refusal of a person, request, or approach, whereas a rebuttal is an argument that challenges or disproves a claim.