refuse

[ ri-fyooz ]

See synonyms for: refuse refused refusing on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object),re·fused, re·fus·ing.

to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse an award.
to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.): to refuse permission.

to express a determination not to (do something): to refuse to discuss the question.
to decline to submit to.
(of a horse) to decline to leap over (a barrier).
to decline to accept (a suitor) in marriage.
Military. to bend or curve back (the flank units of a military force) so that they face generally to the flank rather than the front.
Obsolete. to renounce.

verb (used without object),re·fused, re·fus·ing.

to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.

Origin of refuse

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English refusen, from Middle French refuser, Old French ultimately from Latin refūsus, past participle of refundere “to pour back”; see refund¹

synonym study For refuse

1. Refuse, decline, reject, spurn all imply nonacceptance of something. To decline is milder and more courteous than to refuse, which is direct and often emphatic in expressing determination not to accept what is offered or proposed: to refuse a bribe; to decline an invitation. To reject is even more positive and definite than refuse : to reject a suitor. To spurn is to reject with scorn: to spurn a bribe.

Other words for refuse

rebuff

See synonyms for refuse on Thesaurus.com

Opposites for refuse

1	accept, take

See antonyms for refuse on Thesaurus.com

Other words from refuse

re·fus·a·ble, adjective
re·fus·er, noun
qua·si-re·fused, adjective
un·re·fus·a·ble, adjective
un·re·fused, adjective
un·re·fus·ing, adjective

Words Nearby refuse

Other definitions for refuse (2 of 2)

refuse²

[ ref-yoos ]

noun

something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage.

adjective

rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter.

Origin of refuse

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Middle French, Old French refus “dross, waste,” derivative of refuser to refuse¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use refuse in a sentence

The ruling itself won’t matter too much—the US can appeal it, and because the US is refusing to appoint new members to the WTO’s appellate board, the end result is legal limbo.
China is winning the trade war | Tim Fernholz | September 15, 2020 | Quartz
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said earlier this month that Democrats refuse to go below $2 trillion.
Congress likely to ax second round of stimulus checks, according to Goldman Sachs forecast | Lance Lambert | September 8, 2020 | Fortune
Some customers refuse to dine altogether if they can’t be seated outside.
Pick Your Poison | Nick Mancall-Bitel | September 3, 2020 | Eater
So, in 2017, Coel walked away from a $1 million offer by Netflix to buy the rights to I May Destroy You after the streaming giant refused to include copyright royalties in the deal.
How Michaela Coel Tells Awkward Truths | Eromo Egbejule | August 30, 2020 | Ozy
What we can say about younger audiences is that they refuse to define themselves by any media brand.
‘Not enough money to go around’: US digital-media publishers curb international expansion | Lucinda Southern | August 26, 2020 | Digiday

And now to this list of New York pols who refuse to go away, it may be possible to add another name: Vito Fossella.
Will Dirty Pol Vito Fossella Replace Dirty Pol Michael Grimm? | David Freedlander | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
And why would its ostensible spokesperson refuse to answer yes/no questions about them?
How Canadian Oilmen Pinkwash the Keystone Pipeline | Jay Michaelson | December 28, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
“I tell them they are ruining their life, but I will not refuse to do it,” Bensoussan said.
Saying Yes to the Dress—Behind Bars | Caitlin Dickson | December 8, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
I refuse to be repeatedly mistreated especially by someone who claims to love me.
The Chris Brown vs. Drake Feud Continues: Brown Claims Ex GF Karrueche Tran Cheated with Drizzy | Marlow Stern | December 7, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
Another time he altered the program so that the high score table would refuse to display the initials of one of his colleagues.
‘Asteroids’ & The Dawn of the Gamer Age | David Owen | November 29, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
She thought, knowing Janet to be at liberty and never dreaming that she would refuse: "I am saved--for the present."
Hilda Lessways | Arnold Bennett
They would certainly ask that question, and perhaps refuse the loan.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV. | Various
He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | Various
Well, we must try our luck with a regulation sabre; they can't well refuse it; ours is the stronger and bigger man.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James Wills
It seemed quite the forlornest hope I had ever heard of, but Jack's distress was so acute that I hadn't the heart to refuse.
Uncanny Tales | Various

British Dictionary definitions for refuse (1 of 2)

refuse¹

/ (rɪˈfjuːz) /

verb

(tr) to decline to accept (something offered): to refuse a present; to refuse promotion
to decline to give or grant (something) to (a person, organization, etc)

(when tr, takes an infinitive) to express determination not (to do something); decline: he refuses to talk about it
(of a horse) to be unwilling to take (a jump), as by swerving or stopping
(tr) (of a woman) to declare one's unwillingness to accept (a suitor) as a husband

Origin of refuse

C14: from Old French refuser, from Latin refundere to pour back; see refund

Derived forms of refuse

refusable, adjective
refuser, noun

British Dictionary definitions for refuse (2 of 2)

refuse²

/ (ˈrɛfjuːs) /

noun

- anything thrown away; waste; rubbish
- (as modifier): a refuse collection

Origin of refuse

C15: from Old French refuser to refuse 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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