rejection
gb/ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/ us/ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
B1
English
~ 10000
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
action
1
act of refusing to accept something
When a person or group says no to an offer, request, idea, or application.
Usage pattern:
the rejection of [something] by [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *rejection to* instead of *rejection of*. Say, "the rejection of my application," not "the rejection to my application." Also, use an article when counting: "I got a rejection," or "I got three rejections," not "I got three rejection."
Synonyms
refusal (Very close in meaning, but often refers more generally to saying no; 'rejection' is more formal and often used for decisions about offers, applications, or ideas.)
Antonyms
acceptance (Indicates that something offered, requested, or proposed is agreed to or approved, instead of being refused.)
Collocations
rejection letter
|rejection of the application
|rejection of the proposal
|face rejection
|risk of rejection
|meet with rejection
Themes
business
|education
|daily life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
|law
Examples
- The company’s rejection of his job application arrived by email.
- Her proposal met with immediate rejection from the board.
- After several rejections from publishers, he decided to self‑publish the book.
- The visa rejection forced them to cancel their trip.
Learner examples
- He felt disappointed after the rejection of his job application.
- We received a rejection letter from the university.
- Their plan met with rejection from the manager.
- The rejection of our idea was a big surprise.
Noun
B2
state
2
feeling of not being wanted
A bad feeling you have when other people do not want you or do not accept you.
Usage pattern:
fear of rejection by [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this emotional sense with a single concrete event like a rejected application. In phrases like "fear of rejection" or "years of rejection," the word usually refers to the ongoing emotional experience, not one specific letter or decision.
Synonyms
exclusion (Focuses more on being left out of a group or activity; 'rejection' highlights the emotional impact of not being wanted.)
Antonyms
acceptance (Being welcomed and valued by others, which is the opposite emotional experience of rejection.)
Collocations
fear of rejection
|sense of rejection
|experience rejection
|feel rejection
|rejection from peers
|emotional rejection
Themes
emotions
|relationships
Examples
- Her deep fear of rejection makes it hard for her to start new relationships.
- Children who experience rejection from their parents may struggle with self‑esteem.
- The sudden rejection by his closest friends left him feeling completely alone.
Learner examples
- He feels strong rejection when people ignore him.
- Many teenagers are afraid of rejection from their friends.
- The rejection she felt after the breakup was very painful.
- Therapy helped him deal with years of rejection.
Noun
technical
C1
event
3
immune attack on transplanted organ
When a person’s body fights and may destroy a new organ, like a new kidney or heart, that was put in during a transplant.
Usage pattern:
rejection of the transplanted [organ]
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'rejection' here is a simple yes/no decision by doctors, but it refers to the body’s immune reaction, not a choice by people.
Synonyms
graft rejection (More technical medical term; refers specifically to rejection of a transplanted organ or tissue graft.)
Antonyms
tolerance (In transplant medicine, describes the body’s acceptance of a transplanted organ without attacking it.)
Collocations
organ rejection
|acute rejection
|chronic rejection
|risk of rejection
|signs of rejection
|rejection episode
Themes
medicine
|science
|health
Examples
- She is taking medication to reduce the risk of organ rejection after her liver transplant.
- Early signs of rejection were detected, so the doctors adjusted his treatment.
- Acute rejection can occur within weeks of the transplant if the immune response is not well controlled.
Learner examples
- The doctors are watching him closely for organ rejection.
- Medicine helps lower the risk of rejection after a transplant.
- The patient showed no signs of rejection of the new kidney.
- Organ rejection can be very dangerous.
Noun
technical
C1
property
4
blocking or reducing unwanted signals
In electronics, how well a device stops or cuts out noise or other signals that are not wanted.
Usage pattern:
[adjective] rejection of [noise/interference]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'rejection' here with a personal or emotional refusal. In technical phrases like 'noise rejection' or 'common‑mode rejection,' it describes a device’s performance, not a human decision.
Synonyms
suppression (General technical term for reducing something; 'rejection' is more specific to blocking unwanted signals or noise.)
Antonyms
susceptibility (Describes how easily a device is affected by unwanted signals, the opposite of strong rejection.)
Collocations
noise rejection
|interference rejection
|common‑mode rejection
|image rejection
|good rejection
|high rejection ratio
Themes
technology
|science
Examples
- The new filter offers excellent noise rejection in the audio band.
- Improving common‑mode rejection greatly reduced interference on the measurement lines.
- This receiver has poor image rejection, so you can hear unwanted stations.
Learner examples
- This microphone has good noise rejection.
- Engineers want high rejection of unwanted signals.
- A better design can improve interference rejection.
- The circuit’s rejection of noise is not strong enough.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rejection
IPA
GB/ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
US/ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
Syllables & stress
re - jec - tion (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (jec)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rejection
- Plural: rejection, rejections
Word family
Forms
rejections
noun
Core family
reject
verb A2
Negative and opposite forms
accept
verb A2
acceptance
noun B1
Expressions
face rejection
1/fˈeɪs ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
experience being rejected
To have people say no to your offer, request, idea, or application.
Examples
- Many young writers face rejection before they get their first book published.
- You might face rejection at first, but don’t give up.
fear of rejection
1/fˈɪɹ əv ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
fear of not being accepted
A strong worry that other people will not like you, choose you, or accept you.
Examples
- His fear of rejection stops him from asking questions in class.
- Because of her fear of rejection, she rarely shares her true opinions with others.
meet with rejection
1/mˈit wˈɪθ ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
be refused by others
To be refused or not accepted when you offer an idea, request, or plan.
Examples
- Their proposal met with rejection from the city council.
- New policies often meet with rejection if people do not understand them.
organ rejection
1/ˈɔɹɡən ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
technical
body attacking a new organ
When a person’s body fights a new organ, like a new heart or kidney, and may destroy it.
Examples
- Organ rejection is a major concern after any transplant surgery.
- Strong drugs are used to prevent organ rejection in the first months.
outright rejection
1/ˈaʊtɹaɪt ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
complete and definite refusal
A very clear and total no, with no part accepted.
Examples
- The plan received outright rejection from the committee.
- He expected some discussion, not outright rejection of his idea.
rejection letter
1/ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən lˈɛtɚ/
fixed phrase
letter saying you were not accepted
A letter or email that tells you that you did not get a job, a place at a school, or something you applied for.
Examples
- She received a rejection letter from the university last week.
- After three rejection letters, he started to rethink his career plans.
risk of rejection
1/ɹˈɪsk əv ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
chance of being rejected
The possibility that something will not be accepted, such as an application or a transplanted organ.
Examples
- There is always a risk of rejection when you apply to top universities.
- Doctors are trying to lower the risk of rejection after the transplant.
social rejection
1/sˈoʊʃəl ɹɪd͡ʒˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
being excluded by a group
When a person is not accepted or is pushed away by a group of people.
Examples
- Social rejection in childhood can have long‑term effects on mental health.
- Bullying often involves social rejection as well as direct insults.