Skip to Content

What’s The Meaning of “Repudiate”? How To Use In A Sentence

What’s The Meaning of “Repudiate”? How To Use In A Sentence

Having adequate and accurate knowledge of the use of a word is the most important aspect of writing. When you lack understanding of a word and you use it when writing, your writing becomes difficult for others to comprehend and can cause confusion when people read it. Not to worry though, we will be explaining everything you need to know about the word “repudiate”.

When we use the word “repudiate” in a sentence, it refers to strongly disagreeing with someone, refusing to acknowledge, admit, or accept something. An example of the use of “repudiate” is: He threatened to repudiate his son’s debts if he refused to go to the rehab center for treatment.

The word looks very easy to use despite its unfamiliarity. But before you jump into using the word, you must have a clear understanding of the word. You are guaranteed to understand how to use this word if you take the time to go through this article.

repudiate banner

What Does The Word “Repudiate” Mean?

It is advisable that before you make use of a word, you must have a clear insight and deep understanding of that word. This makes communication easier, your writing clear and easy to understand.

Now, we will dive into the meaning, origin, and nature of the word “repudiate.” This is the first thing you need to understand about the word “repudiate” to be able to use it appropriately.

We will be discussing the meaning of the word “repudiate”.

The word “repudiate” means to reject something, to refuse to accept, acknowledge, or support something or someone. It also means to refuse to recognize something as valid, to reject something.

It also means to refuse to recognize or pay for something, to reject it as unfounded, unjust, or untrue. It can also be defined as the refusal to have anything to do with someone or something, to cast off or disown.

It is the rejection of authority or validation of a treaty or a belief, to deny the truth of something. It also means to separate or divorce formally from a spouse or someone you are betrothed to.

Next, we will explore the origin of the word “repudiate”

The word “repudiate” is a Middle English word that was coined out from the Latin word “repudiatus” (which means divorced, cast off), and it is the past participle of “repudiare” which is from the word “repudium” (meaning to divorce or reject a spouse).

The nature of a word refers to the part of speech of that word and the function it performs in a sentence. The word “repudiate” is a verb and describes an action in a sentence.

antonym synonym scale

Synonyms and Antonyms of the Word “Repudiate”

Now, we will be discussing the synonyms and antonyms of the word “repudiate”. The synonym of a word is other words similar in meaning to the word we are talking about in this case “repudiate”. Some of the synonyms of “repudiate” are:

  • Decline
  • Refuse
  • Reject
  • Renounce
  • Deny
  • Contradict
  • Oppose
  • Repeal
  • Reverse
  • Abjure
  • Disclaim
  • Avoid
  • Divorce
  • Disprove
  • Rebuff

Next, we will give examples that explain the use of the synonyms of the word “repudiate” in a sentence.

Examples with “repudiate”

  1. After the embezzlement of public funds, the president decided to repudiate all responsibilities about the refugees.
  2. He told his best friend he will repudiate her because she is jobless, a whore, and a gold digger.
  3. Despite claiming to be innocent, he didn’t make any effort to repudiate the allegations made against him.

Examples with the synonyms of “repudiate

  1. After the embezzlement of public funds, the president decided to repeal all responsibilities of the refugees.
  2. He told his best friend he will divorce her because she is jobless, a whore, and a gold digger.
  3. Despite claiming to be innocent, he didn’t make any effort to deny the allegations made against him.

These sentences exemplify the proper use of the word “repudiate” and its synonyms.

Moving on, we will be discussing the antonyms of the word “repudiate”. Antonyms are words opposite in meaning to the word we are discussing which is “repudiate”. Some of the antonyms of “repudiate” are:

  • Embrace
  • Accept
  • Confirm
  • Acknowledge
  • Admit
  • Approve
  • Concede
  • Recognize
  • Agree
  • Assert
  • Marry
  • Endorse
  • Consent
  • Adhere to
  • Support

Examples that show the use of the antonyms of the word “repudiate” will be provided below.

Examples with the antonyms of “repudiate”

  1. Although most of my family members were in disagreement with my brother’s choice of bride, my parents still gave their support towards the marriage.
  2. I want to acknowledge the present given to me on my birthday by sending thank you cards to those who gave me presents.
  3. Neither side was willing to concede to a treaty of peace and ended up killing each other as a result of the war.
  4. My boss is an introvert so he was reluctant to assert his authority over some of my colleagues that were misbehaving.
  5. Even though his parents didn’t like her, he was still willing to marry her because she comes from a good background and is a very hardworking woman.

These examples show how you can use the antonyms of the word “repudiate” in a sentence.

holding hand gesture

How To Properly Use “Repudiate” In A Sentence

Now that we have a clear understanding of the origin, meaning, nature, synonyms, and antonyms of the word “repudiate”, we will go into the accurate and proper way to use the word in a sentence.

When we use the word “repudiate” in a sentence, we are usually referring to a feeling of disagreement with someone or something. It also means to say something untrue or a lie.

The word “repudiate” also means rejection, disown, to refuse to have anything to do with someone or something. You can also use the word “repudiate” to divorce or break up with someone.

When using the word “repudiate”, we are referring to a refusal to acknowledge something, like refuse to pay a debt. It also means refusing to acknowledge a legal authority or legal binding like a will or contract.

The word “repudiate” is often confused with the word “refudiate” because their spelling is almost similar. “Repudiate” means to refuse to acknowledge, to reject, while the word “refudiate” is not a proper English word, hence it doesn’t appear in the dictionary.

Paying close attention to these details enables the proper use of the word “repudiate” in a sentence.

Illustrative Examples on how to use the word “Repudiate”

Now that you clearly understand what the word “repudiate” means, its origin, its nature, its antonyms, and synonyms, we will look at some examples to explain better.

  1. According to myths and legends, it has been confirmed that only the husband has the authority to repudiate his wife.
  2. They refused to repudiate their house because it reminded them of the past, their ancestors, their history, and the culture of their family.
  3. Jones was threatened to repudiate his scientific knowledge of the bible or he will be cast out like an outcast in the church.
  4. When Mason got home from work, his wife told him he had to repudiate the water bill because it was incorrect.
  5.  The popular actress used the interview to repudiate claims of intense drunkenness after a picture of her in a bar went viral on social media.
  6. Some rumors were going around that the president will repudiate responsibility for the economic crisis in his next speech.
  7. The candidate for governor told his party chairman to repudiate some sentences made during the campaign.
  8. When the Pentecostal move came, the catholic was the first to repudiate the idea as it was strange to them.
  9. After the damage that happened during World War II, most African leaders decided to repudiate war and violence in their countries.
  10. When Tom’s addiction to drugs became worse, he started gambling and got into debt, so his father said if he doesn’t go to the rehab, he will repudiate all the debts.’
  11. Peter was ashamed of his experiences and history, but he did not have the heart and courage to repudiate them.
  12. When she was speaking, there was a conviction that if he said something offensive about her private life, she will repudiate the agreement immediately.
  13. I knew he was going to repudiate the contract, so I made sure there was compensation if he doesn’t do all that was stated in the contract.
  14. When accused of treachery, they told those involved that they had no interest to repudiate the treaty.
  15. The judge’s final decision was to repudiate all claims made by the defending party due to insufficient evidence.

These examples provide better clarity and understanding on how to correctly use the word “repudiate” in a sentence.

Final Thoughts

Now, you know the meaning and accurate use of the word “repudiate” in a sentence, you don’t need to be confused anymore. It is not a word that most of us use on a daily basis but its meaning can be applied to a wide array of situations where negation is implied.

Now you will be able to apply this word when you speak or write, and you will sound knowledgeable and purposeful in your speech.