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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
repudiate
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The word "repudiate" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to mean reject or to refuse to accept or acknowledge something. Example: The citizens of the country repudiated the corrupt government and took to the streets to hold peaceful protests.
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Formal & Business
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
The core case for a Yes vote on 5 May is that up to one-third of voters now repudiate the binary voting tradition – Tory or Labour (formerly Liberal/Whig - of the past. They seek greater pluralism and choice. To deny this is "unfair" and a "wasted vote". That's a powerful claim which impresses me. Systems are designed to meet human needs.
News & Media
"There's a lot of sloppy talk going around this country that there should be no place in the concerns of a federal Labor government for the Alan Bonds of this world; I want to repudiate that nonsense unequivocally," he said.
News & Media
John McCain took to the Senate floor on Wednesday to repudiate suggestions by his fellow Republican lawmaker, Michele Bachmann, that the family of a longtime aide to secretary of state Hillary Clinton had ties to Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood.
News & Media
But on both left and right, populist parties with simple solutions – "quit Europe", "quit Britain", "keep out the foreigners", "repudiate the debt" – tend to become over-dependent on charismatic leaders who can sell the message to those voters who don't pay much attention to usually-dull mainstream politics and don't much like it when they do.
News & Media
Thatcher was to go on to put Labour's refusal to condemn the picket-line violence of the militant miners at the very heart of the problem, with influential men prepared to repudiate the ideas of parliamentary democracy and the rule of law.
News & Media
But no matter how moth-eaten and means-tested their welfare state, how dilute their social democracy, the first world, G7-club British would never publicly repudiate their commitments to the sick, the elderly, the poor.
News & Media
Next, repudiate the convention and, if need be, leave the Council of Europe.
News & Media
The Liberal and Progressive parties have grown bolder and are openly canvassing multi-racial solutions for South Africa which repudiate apartheid along with the pass laws, and are nibbling at the holy doctrine of white supremacy.
News & Media
But if Mr Humala is to allay suspicion about his plans among two-thirds of the electorate, he must repudiate his far-left written manifesto, drop talk of changing the constitution the formula used by Mr Chávez to cling to power and promise to appoint competent technocrats.If Mr Humala arouses fears for the future, Ms Fujimori awakens fears of the past.
News & Media
At least one candidate, John Edwards, is using the language of the 50 50 nation to repudiate it (he promises to rise above the two Americas, with its two tax systems, two health-care systems and two governments).
News & Media
In 1996 he ignored calls even from his own supporters to repudiate her racial views.
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "repudiate" when you want to express a strong rejection or denial of something, particularly when it involves principles, beliefs, or responsibilities.
Common error
Avoid using "repudiate" when a milder term like "disagree" or "question" is more appropriate. "Repudiate" implies a forceful and complete rejection, so ensure the context warrants such a strong term.
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The primary grammatical function of "repudiate" is as a transitive verb. It signifies the act of rejecting, disowning, or refusing to accept something. Ludwig examples show it used in contexts where individuals or groups reject ideas, claims, or responsibilities.
Frequent in
News & Media
55%
Formal & Business
25%
Science
10%
Less common in
Encyclopedias
5%
Wiki
3%
Social Media
2%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "repudiate" is a versatile transitive verb used to express a strong rejection, denial, or disavowal. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and suitability in various contexts, predominantly in news, formal business, and academic writing. When employing "repudiate", ensure the strength of the term aligns with the intended message, contrasting it with milder alternatives like "deny" or stronger ones like "disavow completely". As seen in Ludwig's examples from reputable sources such as The Economist and The Guardian, "repudiate" commonly features when discussing political stances, ethical responsibilities, and legal agreements. Therefore, understanding its appropriate register and intensity is crucial for effective communication.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
disown completely
Emphasizes a complete lack of acknowledgement or support
reject outright
Emphasizes a complete and unambiguous refusal or rejection.
disavow completely
Focuses on denying any connection or responsibility, in a comprehensive manner.
refuse to endorse
Indicates a refusal to support or approve something
renounce formally
Suggests a public and official declaration of rejection.
decline emphatically
Highlights a firm and clear refusal, often with strong feeling.
dismiss summarily
Implies a quick and immediate rejection, often without much consideration.
rebuff decisively
Suggests a firm and clear rejection, often in response to an offer or advance.
invalidate entirely
Focuses on nullifying or canceling something completely.
take exception to
Expresses strong disagreement or objection.
FAQs
How to use "repudiate" in a sentence?
"Repudiate" is used to reject or deny something strongly and publicly. For example, "The candidate had to "repudiate" the racist comments made by his supporter".
What can I say instead of "repudiate"?
You can use alternatives like "reject outright", "disavow completely", or "renounce formally" depending on the context.
Which is correct, "repudiate" or "deny"?
"Repudiate" and "deny" both involve disagreement, but "repudiate" implies a stronger, more formal rejection. You deny a statement; you "repudiate" a belief or responsibility.
What's the difference between "repudiate" and "refute"?
"Repudiate" means to reject the validity or authority of something, while "refute" means to prove something is false. You "repudiate" a claim you disagree with, and you refute a claim with evidence.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
89%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested