Reject Meaning
Reject Definition & Usage
To refuse to accept, consider, or submit to something or someone.
Examples
- "The company decided to reject the proposal after careful review."
- "She rejected his invitation to the party, citing prior commitments."
- "The committee rejected the applicant’s resume due to a lack of experience."
- "He was hurt when his offer was rejected by the team."
- "The judge rejected the evidence presented by the defense lawyer."
To dismiss or turn away a person or an emotional attachment.
Examples
- "After a long argument, she felt that he was rejecting her feelings."
- "He rejected the idea of being in a committed relationship."
- "The child rejected his mother’s attempt to comfort him."
- "She felt rejected by her friends after they stopped inviting her to events."
- "He rejected the help of his colleagues despite being overwhelmed with work."
In scientific contexts, to expel or discard an unwanted substance or component.
Examples
- "The body rejects the transplanted organ if the immune system identifies it as foreign."
- "The virus is able to reject the immune system’s defenses, leading to prolonged infection."
- "This material was rejected during the manufacturing process due to its contamination."
- "Certain cells reject the introduction of foreign DNA."
- "The system was designed to reject any signals that were not properly encrypted."
Cultural Context
The word 'reject' has its origins in the Latin word 'rejectus', meaning 'to throw back' or 'to discard'. Over time, it evolved into a more general term used in both physical and abstract contexts. While the literal meaning pertains to discarding or refusing something, it has also developed significant emotional and interpersonal connotations, especially in modern discourse. In social media and modern communication, 'rejection' can often be tied to feelings of exclusion or failure.
The Rejected Proposal
Story
The Rejected Proposal
On a bright Monday morning, Sarah sat at her desk in the conference room, reviewing the proposal that had taken her weeks to prepare. The board had asked for a detailed plan to improve customer engagement, and Sarah had spared no effort in crafting what she believed was a groundbreaking strategy. As the meeting began, the CEO, Mr. Thomas, took the floor. He glanced over the document briefly before setting it down with a decisive thud. 'We’ll have to reject this,' he said. Sarah’s heart sank. 'What do you mean?' she asked, trying to mask the disappointment in her voice. 'The idea doesn’t align with our current objectives,' Mr. Thomas explained. 'It's just not the right fit.' The rejection stung, not just professionally, but personally as well. Sarah had poured her energy into the project, and this refusal felt like a rejection of her abilities. Later that day, she sat in the office kitchen, sipping her coffee, still reeling from the meeting. As she stared into the mug, her colleague Ben walked in. 'How did it go?' he asked, noticing her downcast expression. Sarah shrugged, 'I guess my proposal was rejected.' Ben nodded sympathetically, but his next words surprised her. 'You know, Sarah, sometimes rejection isn't about you. It's just about timing or the fit.' It took her a while to process, but Ben’s words gave her the perspective she needed. She realized that rejection wasn’t a permanent failure. It was a stepping stone for improvement, a chance to reassess and try again. As the days passed, Sarah refined her proposal, taking into account the feedback she had received. She felt a renewed sense of determination and excitement. The next time the board met, she was ready – and this time, the proposal was accepted, not rejected.
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