refuse
1- 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.
- to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.
Origin of refuse
1Synonyms for refuse
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comAntonyms for refuse
refuse
2- something that is discarded as worthless or useless; rubbish; trash; garbage.
- rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter.
Origin of refuse
2Related Words for refuse
debris, waste, trash, rubbish, decline, withhold, ignore, protest, withdraw, reject, rebuff, residue, dregs, junk, leavings, slop, dump, swill, remains, litterExamples from the Web for refuse
Contemporary Examples of refuse
And now to this list of New York pols who refuse to go away, it may be possible to add another name: Vito Fossella.
“I tell them they are ruining their life, but I will not refuse to do it,” Bensoussan said.
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 DrizzyMarlow Stern
December 7, 2014
They expel difficult students and refuse to admit students that public schools have to admit—like kids with disabilities.
To all of you refuse to believe that a beloved actor could do this, you are wrong.
Bill Cosby’s Long List of Accusers (So Far): 18 Alleged Sexual Assault Victims Between 1965-2004Marlow Stern
November 24, 2014
Historical Examples of refuse
But the purest and best matrons of Greece refuse to be my guests.
PhilotheaLydia Maria Child
This request he intended to refuse, and enjoyed in advance the humiliation of young Rushton.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
"Then come and dine here," said Dick, unable to refuse a neighbour hospitality.
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
When the news had spread, others came to join him, and he could not refuse.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
If the refuse matter were taken from that, there would be nothing left.
refuse
1- (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); declinehe 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
Word Origin for refuse
refuse
2- anything thrown away; waste; rubbish
- (as modifier)a refuse collection
Word Origin for refuse
Word Origin and History for refuse
c.1300, from Old French refuser "reject, disregard, avoid" (12c.), from Vulgar Latin *refusare, frequentative form from past participle stem of Latin refundere "pour back, give back" (see refund (v.)). Related: Refused; refusing.
mid-14c., "an outcast;" mid-14c., "a rejected thing, waste material, trash," from Old French refus "waste product, rubbish; refusal, denial, rejection," a back-formation from the past participle of refuser (see refuse (v.)). As an adjective from late 14c., "despised, rejected;" early 15c., "of low quality."