refusal

American  

[ri-fyoo-zuhl] / rɪˈfyu zəl /

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.

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refusal British  

/ rɪˈfjuːzəl /

noun

1. the act or an instance of refusing

2. the opportunity to reject or accept; option

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Other Word Forms

• prerefusal noun

Etymology

Origin of refusal

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

Example Sentences

Anthropic’s refusal to allow its model to be used for surveillance or autonomous weapons is an admission that its system is severely limited.

From The Wall Street Journal

The United Kingdom has dropped its refusal to allow the US to use its bases.

From BBC

Suddenly, despite my flat-out refusal to my mom earlier that night, I was all in.

From Literature

While asylum claims in Britain reached a record high, the number of refusals surged, and approvals at the initial stage climbed slightly in 2025 compared to 2024.

From Barron's

Triggering the administration’s nuclear response on Friday was Anthropic’s high-handed refusal to give the Defense Department carte blanche to use its technology as it sees fit.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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