refusal

[ri-fyoo-zuhl]

noun

1. an act or instance of refusing. refuse.

2. priority in refusing refuse or taking something; option.

3. complete resistance of a driven pile to further driving.

refusal

/ rɪˈfjuːzəl /

noun

1. the act or an instance of refusing

2. the opportunity to reject or accept; option

Other Word Forms

• prerefusal noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of refusal¹

First recorded in 1425–75, refusal is from the late Middle English word refusell. See refuse ¹, -al ²

Example Sentences

Despite an initial refusal to engage in the conversation with a specialist nurse, his mother, Nadine, recalled how he had previously discussed organ donation while applying for a motorcycle licence.

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But in many of the cases where we might hope for refusal, we are asking service members to stake their careers and their liberty.

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“Their refusal to provide this family with answers, their refusal to provide his attorneys with answers, says something about the lack of care and the cruelty of the moment right now for DHS.”

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Iamaleava’s refusal to slide or run out of bounds might have contributed to his concussion because he’s repeatedly taken big hits as a result of his fearlessness.

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He also declined to comment on Ohta’s refusal to rule on the dismissal motion.

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Related Words

• ban 
• defiance 
• exclusion 
• noncompliance 
• rejection 
• reversal 
• veto