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I was writing something earlier today, and wanted to say something along these lines:

"...and found the idea to be rejectionable".

But of course rejectionable is not a word.

Just as: -

  1. laughable means so ludicrous as to be amusing
  2. and debatable means open to discussion or argument

Is there are an adjective to describe the quality of being 'fit for rejection' or 'able to be rejected'?

The closest I could find cross referencing synonyms was rebuffable, from the noun: -

Rebuff noun

  1. a blunt or abrupt rejection, as of a person making advances.

  2. a peremptory refusal of a request, offer, etc.; snub.

  3. a check to action or progress.

But this is too specialized a sense of rejection for my use.

Can you think of an adjective that conveys the quality of being 'fit for rejection' or 'able to be rejected'?

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  • Maybe Defective?
    – Stu W
    Commented Mar 12, 2017 at 1:53
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    How about "rejectable"? merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejectable
    – Gustavson
    Commented Mar 12, 2017 at 1:53
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    unacceptable...
    – ab2
    Commented Mar 12, 2017 at 1:59
  • @Gutavson This may well be what I was looking for thanks. Oxford doesn't list any adjectives for reject. en.oxforddictionaries.com/definition/reject ;neither do Cambridge dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/reject , I dont have a subscription to MW so can't view the link you posted , but i see the entry in dictionary.com dictionary.com/browse/reject
    – Gary
    Commented Mar 12, 2017 at 2:00
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    There's a subtle difference between rejection and reject ; in that rejection is the process of being rejected, and for some reason rejectionable (even though it isn't a word) seems to be the form of word I am trying to find, it has a more active feel to it, than rejectable. If that makes any sense at all?! For sure however, rejectable is almost perfect I would say, and I very much doubt there is going to be a better word to match this.
    – Gary
    Commented Mar 12, 2017 at 2:03

4 Answers 4

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Try "unsuitable" on for size.

Merriam-Webster says:

not fitting or right for a use or purpose: not suitable; an unsuitable choice; unsuitable topics for conversation

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disposable
discardable
useless
excludable
unworkable
dismissible
untenable
unsustainable

English has a great many words, some of which seem to mean the same thing, but do have subtle differences.

"...and found the idea to be rejectionable".

Only the author knows the exact thought, and word, required here. And, only the author would know that an exact word is required.
I would use:

"...and found the idea to be unworkable".

as it is pragmatic and suggests both rejection and a reason for rejection.

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The word that appears to be the closest adjectival match is 'rejectable'.
This can be achieved by adding the suffix '-able'.

capable of being rejected : suitable for rejection

Citation:
“Rejectable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rejectable. Accessed 2 Mar. 2023.

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"fit to be rejected": unfit

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