Saying "No"
I can't seem to find a word with neutral value that means "to say no." In an attempt to describe emotionally intelligent mature conversation I found myself without a word to adequately describe the part that says "no" to a request.
Words like deny, reject, refuse, decline, turn-down, abstain, non-accept, veto, spurn, dismiss, object, counter offer, demur are all acceptable alternatives, and the important aspect is that saying "no" is in no way a mean, rude, or ethically (or morally) worse than saying "yes."
Decline and demur seem the most uncharged, but I long for a word like the German "verneinen". They turned "no" into a verb, which - to my understanding - is different from ablehnen, verweigern, zurueckweisen, missbilligen, ausschlagen, verschmaehen, negieren. There is something about
"saying no" in one tight, simple, obvious, uncharged verb that I find appealing.
In my attempt to find alternatives and reasonable synonyms in English, I came across some fantastic vocabulary that I don't use on a daily basis. Cheers to trying to grow my vocabulary, and having people in my life who welcome this.
Demur (which was previously not a part of my vocabulary, not to be confused with demure)
Words like deny, reject, refuse, decline, turn-down, abstain, non-accept, veto, spurn, dismiss, object, counter offer, demur are all acceptable alternatives, and the important aspect is that saying "no" is in no way a mean, rude, or ethically (or morally) worse than saying "yes."
Decline and demur seem the most uncharged, but I long for a word like the German "verneinen". They turned "no" into a verb, which - to my understanding - is different from ablehnen, verweigern, zurueckweisen, missbilligen, ausschlagen, verschmaehen, negieren. There is something about
"saying no" in one tight, simple, obvious, uncharged verb that I find appealing.
In my attempt to find alternatives and reasonable synonyms in English, I came across some fantastic vocabulary that I don't use on a daily basis. Cheers to trying to grow my vocabulary, and having people in my life who welcome this.
Demur (which was previously not a part of my vocabulary, not to be confused with demure)
As a verb (used without object), de·murred, de·mur·ring
to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception.
Law: to interpose a demurrer. Archaic. to linger; hesitate.
to make objection, especially on the grounds of scruples; take exception.
Law: to interpose a demurrer. Archaic. to linger; hesitate.
As a noun
the act of making objection an objection raised. hesitation.
Apostacythe act of making objection an objection raised. hesitation.
A noun (plural a·pos·ta·sies).
a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
Repudiatea total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.
A verb (used with object), re·pu·di·at·ed, re·pu·di·at·ing.
to reject as having no authority or binding force.
to cast off or disown.
to reject with disapproval or condemnation.
to reject with denial. to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality...
Adjureto reject as having no authority or binding force.
to cast off or disown.
to reject with disapproval or condemnation.
to reject with denial. to refuse to acknowledge and pay (a debt), as a state, municipality...
A verb (used with object), ad·jured, ad·jur·ing.
to charge, bind, or command earnestly and solemnly, often under oath or threat of penalty.
to entreat or request earnestly or solemnly.
As a noun
an earnest request; entreaty. a solemn or desperate urging or counseling
Occludeto charge, bind, or command earnestly and solemnly, often under oath or threat of penalty.
to entreat or request earnestly or solemnly.
As a noun
an earnest request; entreaty. a solemn or desperate urging or counseling
A verb (used with object), oc·clud·ed, oc·clud·ing.
to close, shut, or stop up (a passage, opening, etc.). to shut in, out, or off.
Physical Chemistry: (of certain metals and other solids)
to incorporate (gases and other foreign substances), as by absorption or adsorption.
A verb (used without object), oc·clud·ed, oc·clud·ing.
Dentistry: to shut or close, with the cusps of the of the upper/lower jaws fitting together.
Meteorology: to form an occluded front
Vacuousto close, shut, or stop up (a passage, opening, etc.). to shut in, out, or off.
Physical Chemistry: (of certain metals and other solids)
to incorporate (gases and other foreign substances), as by absorption or adsorption.
A verb (used without object), oc·clud·ed, oc·clud·ing.
Dentistry: to shut or close, with the cusps of the of the upper/lower jaws fitting together.
Meteorology: to form an occluded front
An adjective
without contents; empty. lacking in ideas or intelligence.
expressing or characterized by a lack of ideas or intelligence
inane; stupid. purposeless; idle.
Censurewithout contents; empty. lacking in ideas or intelligence.
expressing or characterized by a lack of ideas or intelligence
inane; stupid. purposeless; idle.
A noun
strong or vehement expression of disapproval.
an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members.
A verb (used with object), cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.
to criticize or reproach in a harsh or vehement manner.
A verb (used without object), cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.
to give censure, adverse criticism, disapproval, or blame.
Remonstratestrong or vehement expression of disapproval.
an official reprimand, as by a legislative body of one of its members.
A verb (used with object), cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.
to criticize or reproach in a harsh or vehement manner.
A verb (used without object), cen·sured, cen·sur·ing.
to give censure, adverse criticism, disapproval, or blame.
A noun
an act or instance of remonstrating. a protest
Cavilan act or instance of remonstrating. a protest
A verb (used without object), cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (esp British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.
to raise irritating/trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (followed by at or about).
A verb (used with object), cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (esp British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.
to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections.
As noun
a trivial and annoying objection. the raising of such objections.
to raise irritating/trivial objections; find fault with unnecessarily (followed by at or about).
A verb (used with object), cav·iled, cav·il·ing or (esp British) cav·illed, cav·il·ling.
to oppose by inconsequential, frivolous, or sham objections.
As noun
a trivial and annoying objection. the raising of such objections.
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