What does spurning mean?
Spurning is the gerund or present participle of spurn, meaning to reject, refuse, or dismiss something with contempt or disdain. It is stronger and more expressive than ordinary rejection: saying that someone refuses an offer suggests reluctance or indifference, while saying that they are spurning it suggests active dislike or a belief that it is unworthy. The word can describe refusing material opportunities, such as money or an offer, and can also apply to rejecting people, proposals, responsibilities, or advice in a dismissive way. Spurning can be used in formal writing and in ordinary conversation, often where the speaker wants to emphasize the deliberate, even confrontational nature of the refusal. Its forceful connotation makes it especially effective for describing conduct that involves both refusal and contempt.
verb (gerund and present participle)Spurning means rejecting or refusing something with contempt or disdain. As a gerund or participle, it describes the act of rejecting or despising an offer, opportunity, or person.
- Rejecting or refusing something with contempt or disdain.
"She considered the proposal but decided against it, spurning the offer rather than accepting its conditions."
"The artist was accused of spurning public criticism while continuing to defend the original work."
"He was spurning every attempt to negotiate, leaving the other side with no choice but to walk away."
To spurn something is to turn it away not merely from disinterest, but with a sense of contempt.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does spurning come from?
The word comes from Old English spurnan, meaning to reject or refuse. It is a Germanic word, and modern English developed the verb through the influence of its Middle English forms. The precise origin of the Old English term is debated, so it is best understood as an inherited Germanic expression for rejecting or turning away.
Related word forms
How spurning is actually used
The word is more formal and more contemptuous than simply saying that someone rejects or refuses something. It often implies that something has been dismissed as unworthy or distasteful.
Easily confused with spurning
Spurning means rejecting something contemptuously, whereas spinning means rotating or twisting something.