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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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repudiate

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE 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

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

The Guardian

"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.

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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

The Guardian

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.

Next, repudiate the convention and, if need be, leave the Council of Europe.

News & Media

The Economist

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

The Economist

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

The Economist

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

The Economist

In 1996 he ignored calls even from his own supporters to repudiate her racial views.

News & Media

The Economist
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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.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

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.

Expression frequency: Very common

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.

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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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

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Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: