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

This includes a 25% penalty for Delhi's refusal to stop buying oil from Russia.

Read more on BBC

His characterization of China’s refusal to buy American soybeans as an “economically hostile act,” meanwhile, blunted the impact of dovish remarks from Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell that stoked bets on more central-bank rate cuts.

Read more on Barron's

Johnson told reporters last week that the refusal to swear Grijalva in was not related to the Epstein vote “at all.”

Read more on Salon

He reposted several outlets’ statements on their refusal to comply, adding a waving goodbye emoji.

Read more on Salon

The refusal to rescind the policy injects uncertainty into the coming trade talks, leaving the door open for a new cycle of retaliation and counter-retaliation.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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