rejected

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rejected" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when someone or something has been refused or turned down. For example: The student’s application was rejected due to the lack of the required qualifications.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were dark nights for Rudd after his defenestration but it remained a constant comfort that he had never been rejected by the Australian people.

The Guardian

But the prime minister failed to win the support of more than half of his 303 MPs after 136 Tories rejected the measure and around 40 Tory MPs either did not vote or actively abstained.

The Guardian

The rhetorical devices his speechwriters love to use have been rejected by him in favour of sticking with this, his original wording.

The Guardian - Opinion

The Ukrainian government and western powers have rejected the referendum as a sham.

The Guardian

The V&A's archive (which is mainly post-1920) includes jokes that would have been rejected by comedians on the working-men's clubs circuit, even in the Seventies.

The Guardian

Sabata Mokgwabone, a spokesman for North West police, rejected the claims.

The Guardian

They will probably be ostracised by friends, rejected by family and turned away by the UN and the myriad international NGOs that are equipped, trained and ready to help women.

The Guardian

Voters roundly rejected that ambition, with the Kurdish vote in particular swinging the election against the incumbents on an unprecedented scale.

The Guardian

In a particular blow to Mitch McConnell, the Republican majority leader, and Richard Burr, the intelligence committee chairman, the Senate rejected a series of amendments that were designed to weaken the surveillance and transparency reforms contained in the USA Freedom Act.

The Guardian

Meanwhile, Downing Street rejected a fresh challenge from Alex Salmond, the first minister, to stage a head-to-head live debate with David Cameron on independence on St Andrew's day in November.

The Guardian

At first, he offered it to Harper & Brothers (who "rejected it with a sharp slap"), and then to Doubleday, Page.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a formal decision, use "rejected" to convey the act of refusing an offer or proposal. For instance, "The board of directors rejected the merger proposal after careful consideration."

Common error

Avoid using "rejected" interchangeably with "refused" in contexts where "refused" implies a personal unwillingness. "Rejected" is better suited for formal scenarios where a decision is made based on criteria or evaluation.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rejected" is as the past participle form of the verb reject. It often functions as an adjective modifying a noun, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples where applications and ideas are described as "rejected". Ludwig AI confirms that this is a correct use.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "rejected" functions as a verb, primarily used in the past tense or as a past participle, to indicate that something has been refused or turned down. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and very common, particularly in news and media contexts. While it can be used interchangeably with terms like "refused" or "declined", "rejected" often carries a more formal tone, suitable for official decisions or reports. Understanding its nuances and appropriate contexts, as highlighted by Ludwig examples, will ensure clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

turned down

A more general and informal way to say something was not accepted.

refused

Indicates a firm decision not to accept something offered.

declined

A polite way to refuse something, often an invitation or offer.

dismissed

Suggests something was quickly or easily rejected, often an idea or suggestion.

vetoed

Implies a formal rejection, often by someone in authority.

repudiated

Suggests a strong rejection or denial of something, often a belief or claim.

spurned

A somewhat old-fashioned term suggesting a scornful rejection.

disapproved

Indicates that something was not officially sanctioned or allowed.

rebuffed

Suggests a blunt or abrupt rejection.

discarded

Implies something was thrown away or gotten rid of after being deemed unsuitable.

FAQs

How is "rejected" used in a sentence?

The word "rejected" typically indicates that something has been refused or turned down. For example, "The application was "rejected" due to incomplete information."

What can I say instead of "rejected"?

You can use alternatives such as "turned down", "refused", or "declined" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "rejected by" or "rejected from"?

"Rejected by" is generally more appropriate when indicating who or what did the rejecting (e.g., "The proposal was rejected by the committee"). "Rejected from" is used less frequently and usually refers to being excluded from a group or place.

What is the difference between "rejected" and "dismissed"?

"Rejected" typically implies a formal refusal after consideration, while "dismissed" can suggest a more casual or immediate disregard. For example, a formal application might be "rejected", but an idea might be "dismissed" without much thought.