What is reject? Pronunciation and usage in English

reject means . Learn how to pronounce and use reject through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of reject

rejectverb

/rɪˈdʒɛkt/
Definition & pronunciation of reject

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "reject" in English. Here's a breakdown, with a few slightly different variations:

Most Common Pronunciation (American English):

  • REH - Like the "re" in "red"
  • JEKT - Like "ject" (as in "ject" - to throw) - The "e" is short and unstressed.

So, it sounds like: REH-jekt

British English Pronunciation:

  • REI - Like the "re" in "read"
  • JEKT - Same as above - "jekt"

So, it sounds like: REI-jekt

Tips & Key Points:

  • Stress: The stress is on the first syllable ("REH").
  • "jekt" is key: Make sure you clearly pronounce the "jekt" part. Don't just say "reject" as one long word.
  • Short "e": The 'e' in “jekt” is a short, unstressed vowel sound - don’t pronounce it like "eh."

Resources for Hearing it:

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Usage and examples with the word reject in English

Let's break down how to use the word "reject" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different nuances, so it's important to understand when to use it.

1. Core Meaning: To Refuse or Turn Down

At its most basic, "reject" means to refuse to accept something or someone. It's a straightforward act of turning something down.

  • Example 1 (Formal): "The committee rejected his application for a grant." (They refused his application.)
  • Example 2 (Informal): "I rejected his offer of help – I could handle it myself." (I refused his offer.)
  • Example 3 (General): "She rejected the idea of moving to a new city." (She didn’t accept the idea.)

2. Different Contexts & Shades of Meaning

Here's where "reject" gets more nuanced:

  • Rejecting a Person (Dismissing): This often implies a more negative or critical judgment.

    • Example: "The judge rejected the defendant's plea bargain." (The judge found it unacceptable.)
    • Example: "The team rejected the player due to his poor performance." (They didn’t keep him because of his play.)

  • Rejecting an Idea/Proposal/Suggestion: This is very common.

    • Example: "The council rejected the new zoning regulations." (They didn't approve the regulations.)
    • Example: "He rejected her suggestion to go to the movies." (He didn't agree to the suggestion.)

  • Rejecting Material (Discarding): Often used with physical things.

    • Example: "The factory rejected the defective parts." (The parts were discarded.)
    • Example: "She rejected the old, ripped fabric." (She refused to use it.)

  • Rejecting a Feeling/Impulse (Resisting): This implies struggling against something you feel.

    • Example: "He tried to reject his overwhelming desire to travel." (He fought against wanting to travel.)

3. Grammatical Forms

  • Reject: The base form (used in the present tense)
  • Rejected: The past tense and past participle (used with "was/were" and "has/have")
  • Rejecting: The present participle (used with "is/are")

4. Synonyms

Here are some words that can often be used instead of "reject," depending on the context:

  • Refuse
  • Turn down
  • Dismiss
  • Deny
  • Discard
  • Repudiate
  • Rebuke (If there's a strong criticism involved)

5. Common Phrases

  • Reject a proposal: To turn down a plan or suggestion.
  • Reject someone’s opinion: To disagree with someone’s viewpoint.
  • Reject a judgment: To refuse to accept a ruling or decision.

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Synonyms for the word reject

Practice with vocabulary reject

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The board decided to ______ the initial proposal due to budget constraints.
  2. Many organs are ______ by the body if they are not a perfect match, leading to transplant failure.
  3. She had to ______ the dinner invitation as she already had plans for that evening.
  4. The court decided to ______ the appeal, citing insufficient new evidence to overturn the previous ruling.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. If a scientific hypothesis cannot be empirically verified, researchers will likely ______ it. A) confirm B) amend C) reject D) theorize

  2. After discovering a significant manufacturing defect, the customer chose to ______ the faulty product. A) dismiss B) accept C) return D) reject

  3. The admissions committee had to ______ numerous applications this year due to limited space in the program. A) approve B) hire C) interview D) reject

  4. The executive chose to ______ the accusation of unethical behavior, stating it was completely unfounded. A) confirm B) acknowledge C) deny D) confess

  5. The manager chose to ______ the employee's request for an extended leave, citing critical project deadlines. A) approve B) grant C) decline D) permit

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The university did not accept his application for the scholarship. (Use "reject")
  2. Her innovative idea was not given any consideration by the conservative panel. (Use a form of "reject")
  3. The government declined the public's petition for stricter environmental regulations. (Do NOT use "reject" or its forms)

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. reject
  2. rejected
  3. decline
  4. dismiss

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. C) reject
  2. C) return, D) reject
  3. D) reject
  4. C) deny
  5. C) decline

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The university decided to reject his application for the scholarship.
  2. Her innovative idea faced rejection from the conservative panel.
  3. The government denied the public's petition for stricter environmental regulations.

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