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B1 Adjective / Past Participle #46 most common 13 min read

rejected

Top 46

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips rejected in 30 Seconds

Explanation rejected in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'rejected' is a bit difficult, but you can understand it as 'no' or 'not accepted.' Think about a toy that is broken and thrown away—it is rejected. Or think about a computer saying 'no' to your password. When you see 'rejected,' it means something was not taken or not liked. For example, 'The dog rejected the food' means the dog did not want to eat the food. It is a strong way to say 'no.' You might see this word on a screen if you use a credit card and it doesn't work. The screen will say 'Transaction Rejected.' This just means the payment did not happen. It is important to know that 'rejected' usually means the end of something—the food is not eaten, the card is not used, and the password is not accepted. You don't need to use this word often at A1, but you should know what it means when you see it on a computer or a sign.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'rejected' to describe simple situations where someone says 'no' to an offer or a thing. It is the opposite of 'accepted.' If you apply for a job and they say 'no,' your application was rejected. If you give a gift and the person does not take it, the gift was rejected. You can use it as a past tense verb: 'He rejected my idea.' You can also use it to describe how someone feels: 'He felt rejected when his friends didn't invite him to the party.' At this level, focus on using it for physical things (like a coin in a machine) or simple social situations. Remember that it sounds a bit more serious than just saying 'no.' If a machine 'rejects' your coin, it spits it back out. If a school 'rejects' a student, they cannot go to that school. It is a very useful word for understanding official letters and messages from banks or schools.

At the B1 level, you should understand that 'rejected' is often used in professional and formal contexts. It is a common word in business, such as 'The company rejected the proposal because it was too expensive.' You should also be comfortable using it in the passive voice: 'The plan was rejected by the board.' This is a very common pattern. At this level, you can also use 'rejected' to describe more complex emotions. For example, 'She felt rejected by her community.' You should know the difference between 'rejected' and 'refused.' 'Rejected' is usually for things like applications, ideas, or people in a group, while 'refused' is often for actions (e.g., 'He refused to go'). You will also see 'rejected' in medical news, like 'The body rejected the new heart.' This level requires you to understand that rejection can be a formal process or a physical reaction, not just a personal feeling.

At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'rejected' with nuance and in various registers. You understand that 'rejected' can imply a lack of quality or a failure to meet standards. For instance, 'The manuscript was rejected by several publishers before finally being accepted.' You can use it to discuss social issues, such as 'rejected members of society' or 'rejected theories.' You should also be familiar with collocations like 'outright rejected,' 'widely rejected,' or 'rejected out of hand.' These adverbs add intensity to the word. At this level, you can also use 'rejected' in more abstract ways, such as 'He rejected the traditional values of his family.' This means he chose not to follow them. You should also be aware of the noun form 'rejection' and how to use it in sentences like 'He handled the rejection with grace.' Your understanding should cover legal, medical, and social nuances of the word.

At the C1 level, you use 'rejected' to describe complex philosophical, legal, or scientific concepts. You might discuss how a certain 'rejected hypothesis' led to a breakthrough in another field. You understand the subtle difference between 'rejected,' 'repudiated,' and 'spurned.' For example, 'The prime minister repudiated the claims,' sounds more formal and authoritative than 'The prime minister rejected the claims.' You can use 'rejected' to describe the aesthetics of something, like 'the rejected architecture of the post-war era.' You are also comfortable with the word in medical and biological contexts, discussing 'immunosuppressants used to prevent a rejected transplant.' At this level, you should be able to use the word in sophisticated writing to convey precise meanings about exclusion, failure, and ideological disagreement. You can also use it metaphorically in literature, such as 'the rejected landscape of the industrial north.'

At the C2 level, 'rejected' is a tool for precise and evocative expression. You can use it to explore deep psychological states, such as 'the existential dread of being a rejected soul in a modern wasteland.' You understand its use in high-level legal discourse, such as 'the rejected testimony was deemed prejudicial to the jury.' You can discuss the 'rejection' of entire systems of thought, like the 'rejected tenets of mercantilism in favor of free trade.' You are aware of the word's history and its power in rhetoric. You can use it to create contrast in complex sentences: 'While the initial proposal was rejected for its radicalism, its core principles were later integrated into the mainstream policy.' You also understand the social dynamics of 'rejection' in niche fields like art criticism or advanced sociology. At this level, the word is not just a descriptor but a way to analyze the boundaries of acceptance in any given system.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

rejected in 30 Seconds

Rejected means something was not accepted or was turned down after being considered.
It can describe physical objects (coins), formal applications (jobs), or social feelings (dating).
In medicine, it specifically refers to the body attacking a transplanted organ.
The word carries a sense of finality and often implies a failure to meet standards.

The word rejected is a powerful adjective and past participle that describes the act of being cast aside, refused, or dismissed. At its core, it signifies that something—an idea, an object, or even a person—has been evaluated and found to be insufficient, inappropriate, or unwanted for a specific purpose. In daily life, we encounter this word in a variety of contexts, ranging from the mundane, such as a rejected credit card transaction at a grocery store, to the deeply personal, such as a rejected marriage proposal. The emotional weight of the word often stems from the implication of not being 'good enough,' though in technical or professional settings, it is frequently used as a neutral descriptor for data or materials that do not meet quality standards.

Technical Rejection: In manufacturing or coding, a rejected item is one that fails to meet the predefined criteria. For example, a quality control officer might mark a batch of steel as rejected if it contains impurities. Here, the word is purely functional and lacks emotional subtext.
Social and Emotional Rejection: This refers to the exclusion of an individual from a social group or the refusal of romantic interest. Psychologists often study the effects of feeling rejected, as it triggers the same neural pathways as physical pain.
Biological Rejection: In medicine, specifically organ transplants, the body's immune system may treat a new organ as a foreign threat. When the body attacks the new tissue, the organ is said to be rejected.

After months of hard work, the author felt devastated when her manuscript was rejected by every major publishing house in the city.

Understanding the nuance of 'rejected' requires looking at the source of the refusal. Is it a formal rejection from a university? Or is it a subtle, informal rejection of a suggestion during a meeting? The word carries a sense of finality. Unlike 'delayed' or 'postponed,' a rejected item is usually sent back or discarded entirely. In the professional world, 'rejected' is often used in the context of job applications. When a candidate receives a 'rejection letter,' it means the company has decided not to move forward with their candidacy. This formal use is standard in HR departments globally.

The sensor rejected the faulty part, pushing it off the assembly line into a bin for scrap metal.

Culturally, the concept of being rejected is a common theme in literature and film. It often serves as the 'inciting incident' that drives a character to improve themselves or seek revenge. For instance, many superhero stories begin with a protagonist who is rejected by society or a specific institution, leading them to discover their true potential. In modern digital culture, 'rejection' has taken on new forms, such as being 'ghosted' (a form of social rejection) or having a social media post 'rejected' by community guidelines. Despite the medium, the core meaning remains the same: a lack of acceptance or approval.

Academic Context: Peer-reviewed journals often have high rejection rates. A rejected paper is one that did not meet the rigorous standards of the scientific community.
Legal Context: A judge might reject a piece of evidence if it was obtained illegally, meaning it cannot be used during the trial.

The transplant patient's body unfortunately rejected the donor kidney, requiring immediate medical intervention.

Using 'rejected' correctly involves understanding its grammatical versatility. It most commonly appears as the past tense of the verb 'to reject' or as an adjective describing a noun. When used as a verb, it follows the standard subject-verb-object pattern: 'The committee rejected the proposal.' In this instance, 'the committee' is the actor, 'rejected' is the action, and 'the proposal' is the recipient of that action. When used as an adjective, it often follows a linking verb like 'be' or 'feel': 'He felt rejected after the interview.'

Passive Voice Usage: 'Rejected' is very frequently found in passive constructions. For example, 'The application was rejected.' This focuses the attention on the application rather than the person or entity that did the rejecting. This is common in formal letters where the sender wants to sound objective.
Adjectival Placement: It can be used before a noun (attributive) or after a linking verb (predicative). Example: 'The rejected suitors left the palace' (attributive) vs. 'The suitors were rejected' (predicative).

Even though the plan was technically sound, it was rejected on the grounds that it was too expensive for the current budget.

Prepositions play a key role in how 'rejected' connects to other parts of a sentence. We often see 'rejected by' to indicate the agent of rejection: 'rejected by the voters.' We also see 'rejected for' to indicate the reason: 'rejected for lack of experience.' In medical contexts, we might say 'rejected from the body,' though 'rejected by the body' is more common. It is also important to note the difference between 'rejected' and 'refused.' While they are synonyms, 'rejected' implies a more formal or total dismissal, whereas 'refused' often applies to a specific request or offer (e.g., 'He refused to go' vs. 'He was rejected from the group').

The automated system rejected the password because it did not contain a special character.

In creative writing, 'rejected' can be used metaphorically to describe a landscape or an object that seems unwanted by nature or time. For example, 'The rejected ruins of the old castle stood lonely on the hill.' This personification adds depth to the description. In business English, 'rejected' is often paired with 'outright' to emphasize a total and immediate refusal: 'The board rejected the merger outright.' This conveys a strong sense of disapproval and finality that 'declined' might not capture.

Rejected vs. Declined: 'Declined' is more polite and often used for invitations or offers. 'Rejected' is harsher and used for applications, theories, or physical objects.
Rejected vs. Denied: 'Denied' often refers to access or the truth of a statement. 'Rejected' refers to the quality or suitability of something.

The scientist's hypothesis was rejected after several failed experiments proved the data was inconsistent.

You will hear 'rejected' in many professional and social environments. In the workplace, it is a staple of project management and human resources. When a manager says, 'The budget was rejected,' it means the team needs to go back to the drawing board. In the tech industry, developers often talk about 'rejected pull requests' or 'rejected code,' meaning their contributions were not accepted into the main project. This usage is very common in collaborative software environments like GitHub.

In the News: Headlines often use 'rejected' to describe political outcomes. 'Voters Rejected the New Tax Law' or 'The Senate Rejected the President's Nominee.' It provides a clear, punchy way to describe a negative vote.
In Sports Commentary: In basketball, when a player blocks a shot emphatically, the announcer might shout, 'Rejected!' This is a slang-inflected use that emphasizes the physical denial of the ball.

'I'm sorry, your loan application was rejected due to an insufficient credit score,' the bank officer explained.

In social settings, the word is often used to describe dating experiences. People might say, 'I asked her out, but I got rejected.' While this is common, it's also a sensitive topic. In the world of art and entertainment, 'rejected' is a badge of honor for some. Many famous artists were initially rejected by the 'Salon' in Paris, leading to the creation of the 'Salon des Refusés' (Exhibition of the Rejects), which eventually gave birth to Impressionism. This shows that being rejected is not always a sign of poor quality, but sometimes a sign of being ahead of one's time.

The film was rejected by the Sundance Film Festival, but it later became a cult classic on streaming platforms.

Finally, you'll hear it in everyday technology interactions. If you try to log into a website with the wrong credentials, the system might display a message saying, 'Access Rejected.' If you try to use a voucher that has expired, the cashier might say, 'The code was rejected by the system.' In these cases, the word is used to describe an automated refusal based on logic or rules. It is one of the most common words in the 'error message' vocabulary of modern life.

In Medicine: Doctors use the term 'acute rejection' to describe a sudden immune response against a transplanted organ. This is a critical medical term used in hospitals worldwide.

The judge rejected the plea bargain, insisting that the case go to a full jury trial.

One of the most common mistakes learners make is confusing 'rejected' with 'refused' or 'denied.' While they overlap, they are not always interchangeable. 'Refused' is usually followed by an infinitive (to + verb), such as 'He refused to help.' You cannot say 'He rejected to help.' 'Rejected' is almost always followed by a noun or used as a standalone adjective. Another mistake is using 'rejected' when 'declined' would be more appropriate for the level of formality. 'Declined' is softer and more polite; 'rejected' can sound quite harsh or aggressive if used in the wrong social context.

Mistake: Rejected + To-Infinitive: Incorrect: 'She rejected to sign the contract.' Correct: 'She refused to sign the contract' or 'She rejected the contract.'
Mistake: Confusing with 'Denied': 'Denied' is for access or truth. 'Rejected' is for quality or acceptance. Incorrect: 'The computer rejected me access.' Correct: 'The computer denied me access.'

It is a common error to say someone was rejected from a truth; instead, we say they 'denied' the truth.

Another subtle mistake involves the preposition. While 'rejected by' is standard for people or groups, learners sometimes use 'rejected from' incorrectly. You are 'rejected by a university' (the institution made the choice), but you might be 'rejected from a program' (focusing on the program you didn't get into). However, 'by' is generally safer and more common. Additionally, avoid using 'rejected' for simple 'no' answers in conversation. If someone asks if you want coffee and you say 'I reject it,' you will sound very strange and overly formal. In that case, 'No, thank you' or 'I'll pass' is the correct choice.

The student rejected the teacher's advice, which was a mistake that led to a lower grade on the final project.

Lastly, be careful with the word 'reject' as a noun. While 'rejected' is an adjective, 'a reject' is a noun used to describe a person or thing that has been cast aside. Calling a person 'a reject' is highly offensive and considered a slur in many social contexts. It is much safer to use the adjective form: 'He felt rejected' rather than 'He is a reject.' The latter is dehumanizing and should be avoided unless you are talking about inanimate objects in a factory setting (e.g., 'The factory sells its rejects at a discount').

Overuse of 'Rejected': In creative writing, repeating 'rejected' can become monotonous. Try using 'spurned,' 'rebuffed,' or 'dismissed' to add variety to your prose.

The machine rejected the dollar bill because it was too wrinkled and dirty for the scanner to read.

To truly master 'rejected,' you should know its synonyms and how they differ in 'flavor' or register. 'Declined' is the most common polite alternative. If a company 'declines' your offer, it sounds professional and respectful. 'Spurned' is much more dramatic and is often used in romantic or literary contexts (e.g., 'a spurned lover'). 'Vetoed' is specific to power structures, such as a president vetoing a bill or a boss vetoing a team's decision. 'Dismissed' implies that the thing rejected wasn't even worth serious consideration.

Rejected vs. Spurned: 'Rejected' is neutral/formal. 'Spurned' implies rejection with disdain or contempt. You reject an application; you spurn a person's affection.
Rejected vs. Vetoed: 'Rejected' can be done by anyone. 'Vetoed' requires a specific legal or organizational authority to stop something from happening.
Rejected vs. Discarded: 'Rejected' is the decision; 'discarded' is the physical action of throwing the rejected item away.

While the committee rejected the first draft, they were very open to the revised version submitted a week later.

In more informal or slang contexts, you might hear 'shot down' (e.g., 'My idea was shot down in the meeting') or 'turned down' (e.g., 'She turned down my invitation'). These are excellent phrasal verbs to use in spoken English. In academic writing, 'repudiated' is a high-level synonym that means to reject the validity or authority of something (e.g., 'The scientist repudiated the old findings'). 'Rebuffed' is another useful word, often used when an advance or a suggestion is rejected in a somewhat blunt or cold manner.

The diplomat's overtures for peace were rejected by the opposing side, leading to further escalations in the conflict.

Understanding these alternatives allows you to tailor your language to the situation. If you are writing a formal report, 'rejected' or 'dismissed' is appropriate. If you are talking to a friend about a date, 'turned down' or 'rejected' works well. If you are discussing a legal matter, 'vetoed' or 'overruled' might be the precise term you need. By expanding your vocabulary beyond just 'rejected,' you can express the specific way in which something was refused, which adds clarity and sophistication to your English.

Rejected vs. Ostracized: 'Rejected' is a single act of refusal. 'Ostracized' is a continuous social process of being excluded from a group over time.

The organ was rejected because the tissue match was not close enough to prevent an immune response.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Child friendly

Slang

Fun Fact

In the 15th century, 'reject' was often used in a physical sense, like throwing away trash. It wasn't until later that it became common for social and professional refusal.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /rɪˈdʒektɪd/

US /rəˈdʒektəd/

The primary stress is on the second syllable: re-JECT-ed.

Rhymes With

affected connected directed expected infected inspected neglected perfected protected selected

Common Errors

Stressing the first syllable (RE-ject-ed), which sounds like the noun form.
Pronouncing the final 'ed' as a 't' sound (re-ject-t) instead of a full 'id' or 'ud' syllable.
Making the 'j' sound too soft, like a 'y' sound.
Using a long 'e' in the first syllable (ree-JECT-ed).
Dropping the 'd' at the very end.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Common in news and formal letters, easy to recognize.

Writing 4/5

Requires knowledge of passive voice and prepositions.

Speaking 3/5

Natural in social contexts, but don't over-formalize.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, often emphasized in speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

accept refuse offer plan feel

Learn Next

dismiss decline repudiate veto exclude

Advanced

ostracize spurn jilt abnegate forsake

Grammar to Know

Passive Voice with 'Be'

The proposal was rejected by the board.

Adjectives after Linking Verbs

He felt rejected.

Participle Phrases

Rejected by his family, he moved to the city.

Prepositional Phrases with 'For'

He was rejected for being too young.

Noun Clauses as Objects

They rejected what he had to say.

Examples by Level

The machine rejected my coin.

La machine a rejeté ma pièce.

Past tense of the verb 'reject'.

The dog rejected the new food.

Le chien a refusé la nouvelle nourriture.

Subject + verb + object.

My password was rejected.

Mon mot de passe a été refusé.

Passive voice: was + rejected.

She felt rejected by her friends.

Elle s'est sentie rejetée par ses amis.

Adjective after the linking verb 'felt'.

The store rejected the old coupon.

Le magasin a refusé le vieux coupon.

Simple past tense.

He is a rejected artist.

C'est un artiste rejeté.

Adjective before a noun.

The baby rejected the milk.

Le bébé a refusé le lait.

Simple past tense.

Your card was rejected.

Votre carte a été rejetée.

Passive voice.

He rejected the offer to work on Sunday.

Il a rejeté l'offre de travailler dimanche.

Rejecting an offer.

The school rejected his application.

L'école a rejeté sa candidature.

Formal rejection.

They rejected the plan because it was too slow.

Ils ont rejeté le plan parce qu'il était trop lent.

Giving a reason with 'because'.

The rejected toys were put in a box.

Les jouets rejetés ont été mis dans une boîte.

Adjective modifying 'toys'.

She rejected his apology.

Elle a rejeté ses excuses.

Rejecting an abstract noun.

The system rejected the file format.

Le système a rejeté le format du fichier.

Technical rejection.

He felt rejected when they didn't call him.

Il s'est senti rejeté quand ils ne l'ont pas appelé.

Emotional state.

The committee rejected the new rule.

Le comité a rejeté la nouvelle règle.

Formal group action.

The manuscript was rejected by three different publishers.

Le manuscrit a été rejeté par trois éditeurs différents.

Passive voice with 'by' agent.

The body sometimes rejects a transplanted organ.

Le corps rejette parfois un organe transplanté.

Medical usage.

He rejected the idea of moving to another city.

Il a rejeté l'idée de déménager dans une autre ville.

Rejecting a concept.

The proposal was rejected on the grounds of cost.

La proposition a été rejetée pour des raisons de coût.

Formal phrase: 'on the grounds of'.

She felt rejected after the job interview went poorly.

Elle s'est sentie rejetée après que l'entretien d'embauche s'est mal passé.

Linking verb + adjective.

The sensor rejected the faulty parts on the assembly line.

Le capteur a rejeté les pièces défectueuses sur la chaîne de montage.

Industrial usage.

Voters rejected the proposed changes to the constitution.

Les électeurs ont rejeté les changements proposés à la constitution.

Political usage.

The bank rejected his loan application due to poor credit.

La banque a rejeté sa demande de prêt en raison d'un mauvais crédit.

Financial usage.

The board of directors rejected the merger outright.

Le conseil d'administration a rejeté la fusion purement et simplement.

Adverb 'outright' modifying 'rejected'.

He rejected the traditional lifestyle of his parents to become a nomad.

Il a rejeté le mode de vie traditionnel de ses parents pour devenir nomade.

Ideological rejection.

The scientific community rejected his theory for lack of evidence.

La communauté scientifique a rejeté sa théorie par manque de preuves.

Academic rejection.

The rejected candidate decided to start his own company.

Le candidat rejeté a décidé de créer sa propre entreprise.

Participle used as an adjective.

She was rejected from the elite program despite her high scores.

Elle a été rejetée du programme d'élite malgré ses scores élevés.

Passive voice with 'from'.

The judge rejected the evidence because it was obtained illegally.

Le juge a rejeté la preuve parce qu'elle a été obtenue illégalement.

Legal usage.

The project was rejected because it didn't align with the company's goals.

Le projet a été rejeté parce qu'il ne correspondait pas aux objectifs de l'entreprise.

Strategic rejection.

He struggled with the feeling of being rejected by his peers.

Il luttait contre le sentiment d'être rejeté par ses pairs.

Gerund phrase 'being rejected'.

The philosopher rejected the notion that truth is subjective.

Le philosophe a rejeté l'idée que la vérité est subjective.

Abstract philosophical usage.

The organ was rejected due to a hyperacute immune response.

L'organe a été rejeté en raison d'une réponse immunitaire hyperaiguë.

Specific medical terminology.

The city's rejected industrial zones are now being revitalized.

Les zones industrielles rejetées de la ville sont en cours de revitalisation.

Metaphorical/Urban planning usage.

She rejected the plea deal, opting instead for a full trial.

Elle a rejeté l'accord de plaidoyer, choisissant plutôt un procès complet.

Legal strategy.

The manuscript, once rejected as 'unreadable,' is now a classic.

Le manuscrit, autrefois rejeté comme « illisible », est aujourd'hui un classique.

Appositive phrase.

He felt like a rejected fragment of a society he no longer understood.

Il se sentait comme un fragment rejeté d'une société qu'il ne comprenait plus.

Literary simile.

The treaty was rejected by the senate after a heated debate.

Le traité a été rejeté par le sénat après un débat houleux.

Political/Diplomatic usage.

The software rejected the update because of a compatibility conflict.

Le logiciel a rejeté la mise à jour en raison d'un conflit de compatibilité.

Advanced technical usage.

The artist's work was rejected by the establishment for its subversive themes.

L'œuvre de l'artiste a été rejetée par l'establishment pour ses thèmes subversifs.

Sociopolitical rejection.

He rejected the very foundations of Western metaphysics.

Il a rejeté les fondements mêmes de la métaphysique occidentale.

High-level abstract rejection.

The rejected hypothesis nonetheless paved the way for a new paradigm.

L'hypothèse rejetée a néanmoins ouvert la voie à un nouveau paradigme.

Epistemological usage.

The body’s rejection of the graft was managed with immunosuppressants.

Le rejet du greffon par l'organisme a été géré par des immunosuppresseurs.

Noun form 'rejection' in a complex sentence.

She rejected the role of the victim, choosing instead to lead the movement.

Elle a rejeté le rôle de victime, choisissant plutôt de diriger le mouvement.

Identity-based rejection.

The poem explores the rejected spaces of the human psyche.

Le poème explore les espaces rejetés de la psyché humaine.

Metaphorical psychological usage.

The proposal was rejected out of hand, without even a cursory glance.

La proposition a été rejetée d'emblée, sans même un regard superficiel.

Idiomatic phrase 'out of hand'.

The rejected suitors in the myth represent the dangers of hubris.

Les prétendants rejetés dans le mythe représentent les dangers de l'orgueil.

Literary analysis.

Common Collocations

rejected application

rejected proposal

rejected organ

rejected lover

rejected offer

rejected manuscript

rejected claim

rejected candidate

rejected idea

outright rejected

Common Phrases

feel rejected

— To experience the emotion of being unwanted or excluded.

It is normal to feel rejected after a breakup.

rejected out of hand

— To be dismissed immediately without any consideration.

His suggestion was rejected out of hand by the boss.

rejected by the system

— When an automated process refuses an input.

The transaction was rejected by the system for security reasons.

rejected as inadequate

— To be dismissed because something is not good enough.

The first draft was rejected as inadequate.

rejected for lack of

— To be refused because something is missing (e.g., experience).

He was rejected for lack of relevant skills.

widely rejected

— When a large group of people or experts do not accept something.

The theory has been widely rejected by modern scientists.

formally rejected

— To be turned down through an official process.

The bid was formally rejected yesterday.

rejected on appeal

— When a second attempt at approval is also refused.

The visa was rejected on appeal.

rejected from the group

— To be excluded from a social or professional circle.

He was rejected from the elite club.

rejected parts

— Items that failed a quality check.

The rejected parts were melted down.

Often Confused With

rejected vs refused

Refused is for actions ('refused to go'); rejected is for things or people ('rejected the plan').

rejected vs denied

Denied is for access or truth ('denied entry'); rejected is for quality or acceptance ('rejected the application').

rejected vs declined

Declined is polite and soft; rejected is firm and can be harsh.

Idioms & Expressions

"shot down"

— To have an idea or proposal rejected immediately and forcefully.

My idea for the new marketing campaign was shot down.

Informal

"turned down"

— To refuse an offer, request, or person.

She turned down his invitation to the dance.

Neutral

"given the cold shoulder"

— To be ignored or rejected in a social way.

He was given the cold shoulder by his former friends.

Informal

"cast aside"

— To be rejected or discarded as no longer useful.

Old traditions are often cast aside in favor of new ones.

Literary

"left out in the cold"

— To be excluded or rejected from a group or activity.

Small businesses were left out in the cold by the new law.

Informal

"brushed off"

— To be rejected or dismissed as unimportant.

He tried to apologize, but she just brushed him off.

Informal

"sent packing"

— To be rejected and told to leave immediately.

The salesman was sent packing after he became rude.

Informal

"kicked to the curb"

— To be rejected or discarded in a harsh or disrespectful way.

After ten years of service, he was kicked to the curb.

Slang

"blackballed"

— To be rejected from a group through a secret vote or social exclusion.

He was blackballed from the country club.

Formal/Specific

"thrown to the wolves"

— To be rejected and left in a dangerous or difficult situation without help.

The junior manager was thrown to the wolves during the press conference.

Informal

Easily Confused

rejected vs dejected

Sounds similar to rejected.

Rejected is what happens to you; dejected is the sad feeling you have because of it.

He felt dejected after his proposal was rejected.

rejected vs ejected

Both have the root 'ject'.

Ejected means to be physically thrown out of a place; rejected means to be refused.

The player was ejected from the game after his appeal was rejected.

rejected vs subjected

Both have the root 'ject'.

Subjected means to be made to undergo something unpleasant.

He was subjected to criticism after his plan was rejected.

rejected vs neglected

Similar ending and negative connotation.

Neglected means not given enough attention; rejected means actively turned away.

The neglected house looked like a rejected piece of history.

rejected vs objected

Both have the root 'ject'.

Objected means to express disagreement; rejected means to officially refuse.

He objected to the plan, so it was eventually rejected.

Sentence Patterns

The [Noun] rejected the [Noun].

The machine rejected the coin.

I felt rejected.

I felt rejected when they didn't call.

The [Noun] was rejected by [Agent].

The plan was rejected by the manager.

Rejected for [Reason], [Subject] [Verb].

Rejected for lack of experience, he took a lower-level job.

The [Noun] was rejected on the grounds of [Noun].

The evidence was rejected on the grounds of hearsay.

To be rejected is to [Verb].

To be rejected is to face the reality of one's limitations.

The [Noun] rejected the idea of [Gerund].

They rejected the idea of working late.

It was a rejected [Noun].

It was a rejected manuscript from the 1920s.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in both spoken and written English, especially in professional and technical contexts.

Common Mistakes

I rejected to help him. → I refused to help him.
You cannot use 'rejected' followed by 'to' and a verb. Use 'refused' for actions.
The computer rejected me access. → The computer denied me access.
For permissions and security, 'denied' is the standard word, not 'rejected'.
He is a total reject. → He felt totally rejected.
Calling a person 'a reject' is an insult. Using the adjective 'rejected' describes their feeling without being mean.
She rejected the invitation politely. → She declined the invitation politely.
While not grammatically wrong, 'declined' is much more natural and polite for invitations.
The body was rejected the organ. → The body rejected the organ.
In the active voice, the body is the one doing the rejecting. You don't need 'was'.

Tips

Use Passive Voice

In formal writing, 'The application was rejected' sounds more professional than 'They rejected the application.' This focuses on the result rather than the person who said no.

Vary Your Synonyms

To avoid repeating 'rejected,' use 'declined' for polite refusals and 'dismissed' for things that aren't important. This makes your writing more interesting.

Be Soft in Person

If you need to tell a friend 'no,' use 'I'll pass' or 'I can't' instead of 'I reject that.' 'Reject' can sound very cold and mean in personal conversations.

Handling Rejection

When a job application is rejected, it's a good idea to ask for feedback. Use the phrase: 'I understand my application was rejected; could you provide some feedback for my future growth?'

Error Messages

If you are a developer, use 'Rejected' for inputs that don't meet rules (like a weak password) and 'Denied' for security permissions (like a wrong user).

Stress the Middle

Always remember: re-JECT-ed. If you say RE-jected, people might think you are using the noun form, which can be confusing or even offensive.

Adjective Use

You can use 'rejected' before a noun to add detail, like 'the rejected manuscripts.' This is a great way to describe a collection of failed attempts.

Specific Usage

In medicine, 'rejection' is a noun. 'The patient is showing signs of rejection' is a common way doctors talk about transplant issues.

Out of Hand

Use the phrase 'rejected out of hand' to describe a situation where someone didn't even listen to your idea before saying no. It shows frustration.

Dramatic Effect

In a story, use 'spurned' instead of 'rejected' to make a character's pain feel more intense and romantic. It adds a 'literary' feel to your work.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'RE-JECT' as someone who 'RE-turns' a 'JECT' (object) because they don't want it. Or: 'RE' (back) + 'JECT' (like a jet throwing something out).

Visual Association

Imagine a basketball player jumping high and 'throwing back' a ball that someone tried to shoot. This is a literal 'rejection' in sports.

Word Web

Refused Denied Discarded Spurned Declined Dismissed Excluded Vetoed

Challenge

Try to write three sentences: one about a rejected job, one about a rejected food, and one about a rejected idea.

Word Origin

The word 'rejected' comes from the Latin word 'reiectus', which is the past participle of 'reicere'. The prefix 're-' means 'back' and 'iacere' means 'to throw'. Thus, the literal meaning is 'thrown back'. It entered Middle English through the Old French word 'rejecter'.

Original meaning: To throw back, to cast off, or to drive away.

Indo-European (Latin branch)

Cultural Context

Be careful when calling a person 'a reject' as it is an insult. Use 'he felt rejected' instead.

In the US and UK, 'rejection letters' are a common cultural touchstone for students and job seekers.

The 'Salon des Refusés' in 19th-century Paris for rejected art. The song 'Rejected' by various punk bands expressing social alienation. The trope of the 'rejected suitor' in Shakespearean plays.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Job Applications

rejection letter
rejected for the position
handle rejection
rejected after the final round

Medical/Biology

organ rejection
reject the transplant
acute rejection
prevent rejection

Technology

transaction rejected
password rejected
rejected pull request
connection rejected

Social/Dating

feel rejected
fear of rejection
got rejected
rejected suitor

Manufacturing

rejected parts
rejected batch
quality control rejected
rejected as scrap

Conversation Starters

"Have you ever had a great idea that was rejected by your boss or teacher?"

"How do you usually handle it when you feel rejected by a group of people?"

"What is the most famous story you know about a rejected artist or author?"

"Do you think it's better to be rejected quickly or to wait a long time for an answer?"

"Have you ever rejected a piece of advice that you later realized was actually good?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a time when you felt rejected. How did you react, and what did you learn from the experience?

If you were a manager, how would you deliver a rejection to a job candidate in a kind and professional way?

Write about a 'rejected' object (like a broken toy or an old building). What is its story?

Is rejection a necessary part of success? Explain your thoughts with examples from your life or history.

How has technology changed the way we experience being rejected compared to 50 years ago?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, you should say 'I refused to go.' 'Rejected' is not used with the 'to-infinitive' pattern. It is usually followed by a noun, like 'I rejected the offer.'

Not necessarily. In science, a 'rejected hypothesis' is a normal part of the process. In art, being 'rejected' by the mainstream can sometimes lead to a more creative and independent career.

'Turned down' is a phrasal verb and is more common in informal speech. 'Rejected' is more formal and is used in official contexts like banks, schools, or hospitals.

It is used when the body's immune system attacks a new organ. You can say 'The body rejected the heart' or 'There was an organ rejection.'

Yes, but be careful. You can say 'He felt rejected,' which describes his feelings. However, calling someone 'a reject' is an insult and should be avoided.

It means that something was rejected immediately without even being considered or discussed. It implies a very strong and quick refusal.

Yes, when a player blocks another player's shot, the announcer often yells 'Rejected!' to show that the shot was stopped.

It is a formal letter from a company or university telling an applicant that they were not chosen for a job or a place in the school.

Usually, we say the machine 'rejected' a part (like a coin or a piece of paper). We don't usually say the machine itself is 'rejected' unless it was refused by a buyer.

The most common opposite is 'accepted.' Other opposites include 'approved,' 'welcomed,' and 'embraced.'