a blanket rejection

USAGE SUMMARY

"a blanket rejection" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate an all-encompassing refusal. For example, "The company's blanket rejection of the petition was disappointing to many of its supporters."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Some interpreted this as a blanket rejection of working with big businesses.

The Guardian

As part of the UN's dogged denial of culpability, the organization has made a blanket rejection of calls for compensation contained in a class action lawsuit filed in New York by victims of the disaster.

The Guardian

Still, those who question Trump's legitimacy go beyond whether he won by fraudulent means, often focusing on his basic fitness to hold the office — a blanket rejection of the president reminiscent of how some of Richard M. Nixon's opponents regarded him from the start.

The Washington Post

That ultimate establishment figure Sir Mike Rake, the chairman of BT and former president of the CBI, said: "I don't think business should reject out of hand what Theresa May has said". Naturally, Rake offered caveats – "You have got to be careful before you leap in to appoint people on boards" – but his comments were far from being a blanket rejection of workers in the boardroom.

The Guardian

Pressed on whether he'd issue a blanket rejection, Ryan said: "I haven't given any thought to this stuff.

Vice

Already, however, some Jews I know are using that anti-Semitic paragraph to justify a blanket rejection of the issues that matter to African Americans.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

His literal interpretation of Benjamin's statement that authentic art has its basis in ritual leads him to a somewhat naïve blanket rejection of theater (which he calls "a ritual of antiquity"); he also explicitly distances himself from performance art.

The New York Times - Arts

Inquiries about opponents have been met with a polite but blanket rejection.

Independent

He said the government had given permission for nine helicopters from the World Food Program to ferry aid to survivors, a significant softening of its blanket rejection of United Nations aid workers.

The New York Times

In a climate provided by a president who fosters distrust and normalises blanket rejection of fact, his supporters are having no problem distancing themselves from the truth.

Vice

Apple's blanket rejection of apps accessing UDIDs is just the latest in a long line of erratic behavior on Apple's part of enforcing the rules of the iOS App Store.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a blanket rejection" to convey a sense of completeness and generality in refusing something. It's especially effective when a single standard or reason is applied to deny multiple requests or proposals.

Common error

Avoid using "a blanket rejection" when a more nuanced response is needed. If the refusal only applies to specific cases or under certain conditions, a blanket statement may be inaccurate and create unnecessary conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a blanket rejection" functions as a noun phrase. It commonly acts as the object of a verb or follows a preposition, denoting an all-encompassing refusal. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a blanket rejection" is a noun phrase indicating a comprehensive refusal, suitable for formal and informal contexts, particularly in news and scientific reporting. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and conveys a complete and unqualified rejection. While not exceedingly common, with only 10 examples, it is a useful term to denote that something has been entirely refused without exceptions. For alternative phrasing, consider "a complete refusal" or "a comprehensive rejection" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a complete refusal

Emphasizes the totality of the refusal without necessarily implying it covers a broad range of items or situations.

an outright denial

Highlights the direct and unequivocal nature of the rejection.

a total rejection

Focuses on the completeness of the rejection, suggesting nothing is accepted.

a comprehensive rejection

Similar to "blanket", it suggests a wide-ranging refusal, but can sometimes imply a more reasoned approach.

a sweeping dismissal

Implies the rejection is broad and perhaps hasty, covering many aspects at once.

a wholesale rejection

Suggests the rejection involves everything related to the subject, leaving nothing untouched.

a categorical refusal

Emphasizes that the refusal is made without exception or condition.

an across-the-board rejection

Directly indicates that the rejection applies uniformly to all cases or items.

a universal no

Highlights that there are no exceptions to the rejection. Not restricted to cases with several items or situations.

a firm turndown

Focuses on the resoluteness and definiteness of the refusal. Not restricted to cases with several items or situations.

FAQs

How can I use "a blanket rejection" in a sentence?

You can use "a blanket rejection" to describe a comprehensive refusal. For example, "The company issued "a blanket rejection" of all proposed amendments to the policy".

What's a good alternative to "a blanket rejection"?

Alternatives include "a complete refusal", "an outright denial", or "a comprehensive rejection", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "a blanket rejection"?

It is appropriate when describing a rejection that applies universally to all members of a group, or all instances of a request, without exceptions. It emphasizes the thoroughness of the refusal.

Is "a blanket rejection" formal or informal language?

"A blanket rejection" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though it appears more frequently in news and media reporting than in casual conversation. It is generally perceived as neutral in tone.