to repudiate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to repudiate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to express the act of rejecting or disavowing something, such as a belief, claim, or association. Example: "The politician decided to repudiate the allegations made against him during the press conference."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mandela refuses to repudiate her.

Independent

He refused to repudiate his communist convictions.

Encyclopedia Britannica

They would never live to repudiate it.

The New York Times

Jackson was advised to repudiate Farrakhan's statement.

The New Yorker

To repudiate someone is to disown them.

The Guardian

But the Republicans cannot afford to repudiate Goldwater.

The New Yorker

A rush to repudiate that error is under way.

The Economist

M. Val offered Siné the chance to repudiate his work.

Independent

There was no way for him to repudiate the book.

The New Yorker

"It is a strange time to repudiate that common sense.

The New Yorker

Mr. Murphy urged the campaign to repudiate such efforts.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing in formal setting use "to repudiate" to show a more formal refusal and rejection, and don't use less formal synonyms like "to back away from".

Common error

Avoid using "to repudiate" when you mean "to refute". "To repudiate" means to reject or disown, while "to refute" means to prove something wrong or false. For example, you can repudiate a claim, but you refute an argument with evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to repudiate" functions as an infinitive, typically used as part of a verb phrase. It signifies the action of rejecting something, either a statement, a belief, or a responsibility. Ludwig examples show a broad use in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

9%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "to repudiate" is a grammatically correct and frequently used infinitive signifying the action of rejecting or disowning something. It finds its place most often in news and media, encyclopedia and scientific contexts, serving to express strong disagreement or denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various registers, though more common in formal settings. When writing, remember to use "to repudiate" when you want to convey a strong and often public rejection, and be careful not to confuse it with "to refute". Consider alternatives like "to disavow" or "to reject" depending on the nuance you wish to express.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

to disavow

Shares the meaning of denying or rejecting something, but often implies a more formal or legal context.

to reject outright

Emphasizes a complete and immediate refusal or rejection, highlighting the decisiveness of the action.

to renounce

Implies a formal or public declaration of abandonment or rejection of a belief, claim, or possession.

to disclaim

Suggests a formal denial of responsibility or connection to something, often in a legal or official context.

to disown

Implies severing ties or refusing to acknowledge a relationship or association with someone or something.

to invalidate

Focuses on the act of making something null or without legal force, often used in reference to contracts or agreements.

to debunk

Specifically targets the act of exposing the falseness of a claim or belief, often through evidence or argument.

to negate

Focuses on cancelling out or denying the truth or validity of something, often used in logical or mathematical contexts.

to revoke

Implies taking back or formally cancelling something, such as a privilege, decree, or decision.

to back away from

Suggests withdrawing support or association from a position, idea, or person, often due to changing circumstances or beliefs.

FAQs

How is "to repudiate" used in a sentence?

"To repudiate" is used to indicate a rejection of something, such as a statement, belief, or responsibility. For example: "The politician chose "to repudiate" the claims made against him."

What can I say instead of "to repudiate"?

You can use alternatives like "to disavow", "to reject", or "to renounce" depending on the specific context.

What's the difference between "to repudiate" and "to deny"?

"To deny" generally means to state that something is not true, while "to repudiate" implies a stronger rejection, often of something one was previously associated with or responsible for. Repudiation suggests a more formal or definitive act of disavowal.

Is it appropriate to use "to repudiate" in informal conversation?

While "to repudiate" is a valid word, it leans towards formal usage. In informal conversations, simpler alternatives like "to reject" or "to disagree with" might be more suitable.