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Rejection and Renunciation Vocabulary Words – Online Spelling Bee

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Learn how to spell Rejection and Renunciation vocabulary words with this 43-word English spelling bee. Listen to a word (click the speaker), then try to spell it — or click Show 4 Spelling Options and pick the correct option. Track your progress with red/green feedback to quickly identify areas for improvement.

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How to pronounce abandon (audio)

To completely give up or leave something or someone, often in a sudden and unexpected manner.

abandon

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Complete Spelling List for Rejection and Renunciation with Part of Speech, IPA, Definitions, Examples, & Etymology

Spell: abandon (verb) /əˈband(ə)n/
Definition: To completely give up or leave something or someone, often in a sudden and unexpected manner.
Example Sentence: "The explorer had to abandon his mission due to a severe storm."
Word origin: The verb 'abandon' has its etymological roots in the Old French word 'abandoner,' which, in turn, comes from the Latin word 'abandonare.

Spell: abhor (verb) /æbˈhɔr/
Definition: To feel strong dislike or disgust towards someone or something.
Example Sentence: "Some abhor the city's bustle, finding solace in the quietude of rural landscapes."
Word origin: The verb 'abhor' traces its etymological roots to Middle English, where it was derived from the Old English word 'abhōrian.

Spell: abominate (verb) /əˈbɒm əˌneɪt/
Definition: To have feelings of intense dislike, disgust, or hatred towards something or someone.
Example Sentence: "He would abominate any form of discrimination, standing up for equality."
Word origin: The verb 'abominate' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: abstemious (adjective) /əbˈstiːmɪəs/
Definition: Self-restraining, particularly when it comes to food and drink.
Example Sentence: "She's impressively abstemious, even in the face of temptation."
Word origin: The word 'abstemious' has its origins in Latin.

Spell: abstinence (noun) /ˈabstɪnəns/
Definition: The practice of refraining from certain activities or behaviors, particularly those that are considered to be harmful or addictive.
Example Sentence: "The doctor advised him to practice abstinence from unhealthy foods."
Word origin: The noun 'abstinence' also has its roots in Latin.

Spell: apostasy (noun) /əˈpɒstəsi/
Definition: The act of renouncing, rejecting, or abandoning one's religious faith, beliefs, or membership in a particular religious group.
Example Sentence: "The religious leader condemned the act of apostasy, considering it a grave sin."
Word origin: The noun 'apostasy' has its origins in ancient Greek, originating from the word 'apostasia.

Spell: ascetic (adjective) /əˈsɛtɪk/
Definition: Extreme self-discipline and abstinence from worldly pleasures or comforts.
Example Sentence: "Her ascetic lifestyle involved minimal possessions and simple meals."
Word origin: The term 'ascetic' derives its etymology from the Greek word 'askētikos,' which means 'rigorous' or 'laborious.

Spell: bastardize (verb) /ˈbæs tərˌdaɪz/
Definition: To corrupt, debase, or adulterate something, often by making it impure or inferior.
Example Sentence: "Poorly translated foreign films often bastardize the original dialogue."
Word origin: The verb 'bastardize' has an etymology that relates to the concept of illegitimacy.

Spell: bromide (noun) /ˈbrəʊmʌɪd/
Definition: A trite or unoriginal statement, idea, or remark that lacks originality, creativity, or depth.
Example Sentence: "Her essay was littered with bromide, echoing a predictable, uninspired monotony."
Word origin: The noun 'bromide' has an interesting etymology that can be traced back to the element bromine.

Spell: contravene (verb) /ˌkɒntrəˈviːn/
Definition: To violate or go against a rule, law, regulation, or agreement.
Example Sentence: "It is illegal to contravene the terms of the contract."
Word origin: The verb 'contravene' has its etymological roots in Latin, particularly from the word 'contravenire.

Spell: decline (verb) /dɪˈklaɪn/
Definition: To refuse, reject, or say no to something.
Example Sentence: "He decided to decline the job offer for personal reasons."
Word origin: The verb 'decline' has its origins in the Latin word 'declinare,' which is formed from 'de,' meaning 'down' or 'away from,' and 'clinare,' meaning 'to bend' or 'to incline.

Spell: denounce (verb) /dɪˈnaʊns/
Definition: To publicly and formally condemn or criticize something, typically to express strong disapproval or moral outrage.
Example Sentence: "If the company continues to pollute the river, environmentalists will denounce them."
Word origin: The verb 'denounce' has its roots in Latin, stemming from the word 'denuntiare,' which means 'to announce' or 'to declare officially.

Spell: detach (verb) /dɪˈtætʃ/
Definition: To separate or disconnect something from its original position or attachment.
Example Sentence: "I need to detach the battery from the device for maintenance."
Word origin: The verb 'detach' has its etymological origins in French.

Spell: detestable (adjective) /dɪˈtɛs tə bəl/
Definition: Deserving of strong dislike, aversion, or intense hatred.
Example Sentence: "The politician's detestable behavior during the debate turned off many voters."
Word origin: The adjective 'detestable' derives its etymology from the Latin word 'detestabilis,' which can be broken down into two components: 'de,' meaning 'completely' or 'intensely,' and 'testari,' meaning 'to bear witness' or 'to affirm.

Spell: disavowal (noun) /ˌdɪs əˈvaʊ əl/
Definition: The act of denying, rejecting, or renouncing any association, responsibility, or acknowledgment of something.
Example Sentence: "The company's disavowal of any involvement in the scandal was met with skepticism."
Word origin: The noun 'disavowal' is formed by adding the suffix '-al' to the word 'disavow,' which is a combination of the prefix 'dis-' and the verb 'avow.

Spell: disbar (verb) /dɪsˈbɑr/
Definition: To officially revoke or suspend the license or membership of a lawyer, preventing them from practicing law.
Example Sentence: "A single act of professional misconduct can disbar a lawyer permanently."
Word origin: The verb 'disbar' is formed by combining the prefix 'dis-' and the word 'bar.

Spell: disbelief (noun) /ˌdɪs bɪˈlif/
Definition: A state of skepticism, doubt, or incredulity towards something that is difficult to accept or comprehend.
Example Sentence: "His eyes widened in disbelief as he heard the surprising news."
Word origin: The noun 'disbelief' is composed of the prefix 'dis-' and the noun 'belief.

Spell: discard (verb) /dɪˈskɑːd/
Definition: To get rid of something that is no longer needed, useful, or desired.
Example Sentence: "The company decided to discard their outdated product line."
Word origin: The verb 'discard' has its roots in Middle English.

Spell: disenchant (verb) /dɪsɪnˈtʃɑːnt/
Definition: To lose faith or belief in something that was previously seen as magical, captivating, or inspiring.
Example Sentence: "The movie's poor sequel managed to disenchant fans of the original."
Word origin: The verb 'disenchant' is composed of two elements: 'dis-' and 'enchant.

Spell: disillusion (verb) /ˌdɪsɪˈluʒən/
Definition: To cause someone to realize that their beliefs or expectations about someone or something were wrong.
Example Sentence: "The documentary aims to disillusion viewers about the realities of fame."
Word origin: The verb 'disillusion' has a clear etymology rooted in both French and Latin.

Spell: disown (verb) /dɪsˈoʊn/
Definition: To refuse to acknowledge or accept a connection or relationship with someone or something that was previously considered as one's own.
Example Sentence: "The company plans to disown its underperforming subsidiary."
Word origin: The verb 'disown' can be traced back to its Old English ancestor 'āgnian,' which means 'to own' or 'to possess.

Spell: eschew (verb) /ɪsˈtʃuː/
Definition: To deliberately avoid something, typically because it is considered undesirable or harmful.
Example Sentence: "Environmentalists encourage people to eschew single-use plastics."
Word origin: The verb 'eschew' has its origins in Old English, where it was spelled as 'ascéowan' or 'ascéawian.

Spell: estranged (adjective) /ɪˈstreɪn(d)ʒd/
Definition: Disconnected or alienated from someone or something that was once familiar or close.
Example Sentence: "The artist was estranged from his family due to creative differences."
Word origin: The adjective 'estranged' has its etymological origins in Old French and Latin.

Spell: excommunication (noun) /ˌɛkskəmjuːnɪˈkeɪʃ(ə)n/
Definition: The formal expulsion or exclusion from membership or participation in a group, community, or association.
Example Sentence: "The controversial decision led to her excommunication from the council."
Word origin: The noun 'excommunication' has its etymological origins in Latin.

Spell: exempt (adjective) /ɪgˈzɛmpt/
Definition: Excluded or immune from a particular obligation, requirement, or rule that others are subject to.
Example Sentence: "Children under five are exempt from the entrance fee."
Word origin: The adjective 'exempt' has its origins in Latin and Old French.

Spell: forbid (verb) /fəˈbɪd/
Definition: To prohibit or disallow something, typically through an explicit command or by imposing a rule or restriction.
Example Sentence: "My parents forbid me to watch TV late at night."
Word origin: The verb 'forbid' has its roots in Old English, where it was originally 'forbeodan,' a combination of 'for-' meaning 'against' or 'to prevent,' and 'beodan' meaning 'to command' or 'to order.

Spell: interdict (noun) /ˈɪntədɪkt/
Definition: An authoritative prohibition, ban or decree that prohibits or prevents certain actions, behaviors, or practices.
Example Sentence: "The court issued an interdict against the construction project."
Word origin: The noun 'interdict' has its etymological origins in Latin, particularly from the word 'interdictum.

Spell: ironic (adjective) /aɪˈrɒn ɪk/
Definition: Displaying a sharp contrast between what is expected or intended and what actually occurs.
Example Sentence: "His extreme fear of heights was ironic considering he worked as a window cleaner."
Word origin: The adjective 'ironic' has its etymological roots in Greek and Latin.

Spell: misogynist (adjective) /mɪˈsɒdʒɪnɪst/
Definition: Characterized by a strong aversion, prejudice, or hostility towards women.
Example Sentence: "Despite his claims of progressiveness, his actions often revealed his underlying misogynist beliefs."
Word origin: The adjective 'misogynist' traces its origins to ancient Greek, where 'misein' means 'to hate,' and 'gyne' translates to 'woman.

Spell: outlaw (verb) /ˈaʊtˌlɔ/
Definition: To officially prohibit or make something illegal by law.
Example Sentence: "The city council voted to outlaw smoking in all public parks."
Word origin: The verb 'outlaw' traces its etymology back to the Old English word 'ūtlaga,' which is a compound term formed by combining 'ūt,' meaning 'out,' and 'lagu,' signifying 'law.

Spell: preclude (verb) /prɪˈkluːd/
Definition: To prevent something from happening or someone from doing something.
Example Sentence: "His lack of qualifications will preclude him from being considered for the job."
Word origin: The verb 'preclude' finds its etymological roots in the Latin word 'praecludere,' which is a combination of 'prae,' meaning 'before,' and 'cludere,' meaning 'to close' or 'to shut.

Spell: prohibit (verb) /prə(ʊ)ˈhɪbɪt/
Definition: To forbid or prevent something from happening, usually by law or rule.
Example Sentence: "Many countries prohibit the import of certain goods for economic or environmental reasons."
Word origin: The verb 'prohibit' has its etymological origins in the Latin word 'prohibere,' which combines 'pro,' meaning 'forward' or 'in favor of,' and 'hibere,' meaning 'to hold' or 'to restrain.

Spell: refute (verb) /rɪˈfjuːt/
Definition: To disprove, discredit, or contradict an argument, statement, or claim.
Example Sentence: "It is not enough to disagree; you have to refute the claim with logic."
Word origin: The verb 'refute' has its origins in the Latin word 'refutare.

Spell: reprobate (noun) /ˈrɛprəbeɪt/
Definition: A person who is morally corrupt, wicked, and beyond redemption.
Example Sentence: "Some called him a rogue; others, a reprobate."
Word origin: The noun 'reprobate' has an etymology that traces back to Latin and carries a strong moral connotation.

Spell: repudiate (verb) /rɪˈpjuːdɪeɪt/
Definition: To reject, disavow, or refuse to accept or acknowledge something, often an idea, belief, principle, claim, or responsibility.
Example Sentence: "The politician refused to repudiate his controversial statement."
Word origin: The verb 'repudiate' has its roots in Latin, originating from the word 'repudiare.

Spell: restrain (verb) /rɪsˈtreɪn/
Definition: To limit, control, or hold back someone or something from taking a particular action or exhibiting certain behavior.
Example Sentence: "The police restrain unruly protesters."
Word origin: The verb 'restrain' has its etymological roots in the Old French word 'restreindre,' which in turn comes from the Latin 'restringere.

Spell: retract (verb) /rɪˈtrakt/
Definition: To withdraw, take back, or revoke a statement, assertion, promise, or offer that was previously made.
Example Sentence: "They will not retract their offer without good reason."
Word origin: The verb 'retract' has its origins in Latin, stemming from the Latin word 'retractare,' which is a combination of 're-' meaning 'back' or 'again,' and 'tractare,' meaning 'to handle' or 'to treat.

Spell: sober (adjective) /ˈsəʊbə/
Definition: Serious, calm, and clear-headed, particularly not being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Example Sentence: "After a night's sleep, she felt more sober and alert."
Word origin: The adjective 'sober' has an etymology rooted in Old English, where it originally meant 'temperate' or 'moderate.

Spell: sobriety (noun) /səˈbrʌɪəti/
Definition: A state or quality of being sober, which means being clear-headed, free from the influence of alcohol, drugs, or any intoxicating substances.
Example Sentence: "The importance of sobriety is emphasized in recovery."
Word origin: The noun 'sobriety' derives its etymology from the adjective 'sober,' which has ancient roots in Old English.

Spell: stifle (verb) /ˈstʌɪfl/
Definition: To suppress or smother something, such as an emotion, an idea, or a movement.
Example Sentence: "Don't stifle creativity; let ideas flow freely."
Word origin: The verb 'stifle' has its etymological origins in the Old English word 'stifelian,' which meant 'to choke' or 'to suffocate.

Spell: subdue (verb) /səbˈdu/
Definition: To conquer, overcome, or bring under control, often through force, persuasion, or the exertion of power or authority.
Example Sentence: "The therapist employed relaxation techniques to subdue the patient's anxiety."
Word origin: The verb 'subdue' has its etymological roots in Latin.

Spell: verboten (adjective) /vəːˈbəʊt(ə)n/
Definition: Prohibited, forbidden, or strictly off-limits, often due to rules, laws, or regulations.
Example Sentence: "Photography inside the museum is verboten to preserve artwork."
Word origin: The adjective 'verboten' has its etymological roots in German.

Spell: withdraw (verb) /wɪðˈdrɔː/
Definition: To remove, retreat, or disengage from a particular situation or context.
Example Sentence: "The army had to withdraw from the enemy's territory."
Word origin: The verb 'withdraw' has its etymological roots in Old English and Latin.

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