has been rebuffed

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has been rebuffed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where someone has been rejected or dismissed, often in a formal or polite manner. Example: "Despite his efforts to propose a new partnership, his suggestion has been rebuffed by the board."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Each time, he has been rebuffed.

The New York Times

This has been rebuffed by No 10.

The Guardian

So far, however, the United States has been rebuffed.

The New York Times - Tech

The proposal has been rebuffed by the Americans.

Independent

He had the malnourished look of someone who has been rebuffed many times yet remains determined.

The New Yorker

India proposed joint search-and-rescue operations across the line, but has been rebuffed.

The Economist

AFGE has fought the TSA ban but has been rebuffed in federal courts.

The Washington Post

Every attempt has been rebuffed, they say, "the door slammed in our face".

The Guardian - Opinion

The populist Five Star Movement's demandfor Giorgetti's immediate resignation has been rebuffed.

The Guardian

Banks has tried to engineer a merger, but has been rebuffed.

The Guardian

He has been rebuffed in his efforts to speak with the junta about the situation.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation where an idea or proposal was rejected repeatedly, using "has been rebuffed" emphasizes the persistence of the attempts and the firmness of the rejection.

Common error

Avoid using "has been rebuffed" interchangeably with words like "ignored" or "overlooked". "Rebuffed" implies an active rejection, whereas "ignored" suggests a lack of attention. Using the wrong word can alter the meaning of your sentence significantly.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "has been rebuffed" functions as a passive verb construction, indicating that the subject of the sentence has received the action of being rejected. It is commonly used to describe situations where proposals, requests, or advances have been declined, as evidenced by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

2%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has been rebuffed" is a grammatically correct and commonly used passive verb construction that signifies rejection, often in a formal or polite manner. According to Ludwig AI, it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, and is best suited for neutral to professional registers. While alternatives like "was rejected" or "was turned down" exist, "has been rebuffed" carries a specific connotation of persistent attempts met with firm refusal. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects an active rejection rather than mere oversight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was rejected

Simple past passive form emphasizing a direct refusal.

was not accepted

Neutral way of indicating that something was refused.

was turned down

Informal alternative, implying a decline of an offer or request.

was declined

Formal and polite way of saying "was refused".

met with refusal

Formal, highlighting the act of refusing rather than the state of being refused.

was denied

Suggests a refusal of access or opportunity.

faced rejection

Emphasizes the experience of the one being rejected.

encountered resistance

Focuses on the opposition faced rather than the outcome.

did not succeed

Implies a lack of success due to resistance or opposition.

was given the cold shoulder

Idiomatic expression indicating an unfriendly rejection.

FAQs

What does it mean when something "has been rebuffed"?

When something "has been rebuffed", it means it has been rejected, often in a polite but firm manner. The term implies a clear refusal, typically of a request, suggestion, or advance.

What can I say instead of "has been rebuffed"?

You can use alternatives like "was rejected", "was turned down", or "was declined depending on the context". These alternatives provide similar meanings with varying degrees of formality.

Is it appropriate to use "has been rebuffed" in informal writing?

While "has been rebuffed" is grammatically correct, it tends to be more formal. In informal writing, phrases like "was turned down" or "was refused" may be more suitable.

Which is correct, "has been rebuffed" or "was rebuffed"?

Both "has been rebuffed" and "was rebuffed" are grammatically correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "Has been rebuffed" (present perfect) suggests an action that occurred at an unspecified time in the past and is relevant to the present. "Was rebuffed" (simple past) describes a completed action in the past without a direct connection to the present.