was rebuffed

USAGE SUMMARY

"was rebuffed" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when describing a situation in which someone was denied or rejected. For example: "The proposal was rebuffed by the city council."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The G.A.O. was rebuffed.

The New York Times

The request was rebuffed.

The New York Times

The man was rebuffed.

The New York Times

But he was rebuffed.

The New York Times

It was rebuffed.

The Economist

He was rebuffed.

The New York Times

He was rebuffed as well.

The New York Times

Often, he was rebuffed.

The New York Times

Repeatedly, he was rebuffed.

The New York Times

He said he was rebuffed.

The New York Times

Each time, he was rebuffed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was rebuffed" when you want to emphasize a direct and somewhat abrupt rejection of a proposal, request, or advance. It's stronger than simply "rejected".

Common error

Avoid using "was rebuffed" to describe situations where something was merely delayed or postponed. "Rebuff" implies a firm rejection, not a temporary setback.

Linguistic Context

Was rebuffed functions as a passive verb phrase, indicating that the subject of the sentence experienced a rejection. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in describing denial or rejection as shown in the examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Encyclopedias

6%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "was rebuffed" is a grammatically sound and frequently used passive verb phrase indicating a direct rejection. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for describing situations where an offer, request, or advance is denied, often abruptly. While the phrase carries a neutral to slightly formal tone, it is prominently featured in news and media contexts, as well as encyclopedic entries. When aiming for alternatives, consider options like "was rejected" or "was turned down" to either maintain formality or adopt a more informal tone. Be mindful to reserve "was rebuffed" for genuine rejections rather than delays or postponements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was rejected

Direct synonym, implying a straightforward refusal.

was turned down

Informal synonym, suggesting a decline of an offer or request.

was declined

Formal synonym, indicating a polite refusal.

was refused

Another synonym, with a slightly more forceful tone than "declined".

was not accepted

Neutral term indicating a lack of approval or agreement.

met with resistance

Indicates opposition was encountered, not necessarily a direct refusal, but it faced some form of pushback.

was met with disapproval

Highlights negative sentiment or disagreement surrounding the action.

faced opposition

Similar to "met with resistance", but emphasizes confrontation.

was given the cold shoulder

Idiomatic expression, implying intentional ignoring or unfriendly treatment.

was given the brush-off

Informal expression, conveying a dismissive rejection.

FAQs

What does "was rebuffed" mean?

The phrase "was rebuffed" means that someone's offer, suggestion, or advance was rejected in a direct and often abrupt manner.

How can I use "was rebuffed" in a sentence?

Example: "The company's takeover bid "was rebuffed" by the board of directors."

What are some alternatives to saying "was rebuffed"?

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

Is "was rebuffed" formal or informal?

"Was rebuffed" has a neutral to slightly formal tone and is suitable for use in news articles, reports, and professional communication.