repudiate
Upper-Intermediate (B2)
IPA: /rɪˈpjuːdiˌeɪt/
KK: /rɪˈpjuːdiˌeɪt/
transitive verb
Definition
To reject or refuse to accept something, especially a belief, claim, or responsibility.
Example
She decided to repudiate the accusations made against her.
Tense Forms
Past: repudiated
Past Participle: repudiated
Conversation
I heard that he decided to repudiate his previous statements about the project.
Really? I thought he was fully committed to it.
Yeah, it surprised me too; he just didn’t want to deal with the backlash.
I guess some people find it easier to just walk away.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
disown
reject
renounce
Antonyms
accept
acknowledge
embrace
Root Explanation
Repudiate → It is formed from "re-" (meaning back or again) and "pudiare" (from "pudere", meaning to be ashamed). The word means to reject or disown something, essentially to push back against it due to shame or disapproval.
Memory Tip
Think of 'pushing back' ('re-') against something that causes 'shame' ('pudere') — that's why to repudiate means to reject or disown.
Visually Confused Words
unrepudiated
tripudiate
redate