refuse
verb (used with object)
to decline to accept (something offered).
had been refusing
-
past perfect progressiveof refuse.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She had been refusing treatment for over a year, according to the Health Department’s petition for detention.
From Seattle Times ● Jun. 24, 2023
A source said in March that Snyder had been refusing to participate in White’s probe.
From Washington Times ● May 18, 2023
The groups had been refusing to attend cabinet sessions in a dispute over the handling of an investigation into the huge Beirut port blast in 2020.
From Reuters ● Jan. 15, 2022
Amit had been refusing any medication for nearly three weeks and with good reason.
From The Guardian ● May 11, 2019
For three years and eight months Jimmie had been hearing stories about atrocities, and for three years and eight months he had been refusing to believe them.
From Jimmie Higgins by Upton Sinclair
