refuse

[ ri-fyooz ]

/ rɪˈfyuz /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR refuse 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.

Nearby words

refund, refund annuity, refurb, refurbish, refusal, refuse, refusenik, refusion, refutation, refutative, refute

Origin of refuse

1300–50; Middle English refusen < Middle French refuser, Old French ≪ Latin refūsus, past participle of refundere to pour back; see refund¹

SYNONYMS FOR refuse

1 rebuff. 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.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR refuse ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR refuse

1 accept, welcome.

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Related forms

re·fus·a·ble, adjectivere·fus·er, nounqua·si-re·fused, adjectiveun·re·fus·a·ble, adjective

un·re·fused, adjectiveun·re·fus·ing, adjective

Definition for refuse (2 of 2)

refuse

[ ref-yoos ]

/ ˈrɛf yus /

noun

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

adjective

rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter.

Origin of refuse

1325–75; Middle English < Middle French; Old French refus denial, rejection, derivative of refuser to refuse¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for 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.
Will Dirty Pol Vito Fossella Replace Dirty Pol Michael Grimm?|David Freedlander|December 31, 2014|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|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|DAILY BEAST
They expel difficult students and refuse to admit students that public schools have to admit—like kids with disabilities.
Hunger Games Comes to New York State’s Public Schools|Zephyr Teachout|November 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST

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 1965-2004|Marlow Stern|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
There are many men amongst us who, in Scripture phrase, refuse to hear the voice of the charmer, charm he never so wisely.
Ancient Faiths And Modern|Thomas Inman
With his besom he began to scrub the refuse out of every corner.
Aspects and Impressions|Edmund Gosse
He went further and declared that he would defy any jury in England to refuse him his money.
Framley Parsonage|Anthony Trollope
If you refuse this, consent to pay tribute, and be under us forthwith.
The History of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire|Edward Gibbon
There was clearly nothing for it but absolute neutrality; he must refuse both requests.
A Change of Air|Anthony Hope

British Dictionary definitions for refuse (1 of 2)

refuse

/ (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); 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

Derived Forms

refusable, adjectiverefuser, noun

Word Origin for refuse

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

British Dictionary definitions for refuse (2 of 2)

refuse

/ (ˈrɛfjuːs) /

noun

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

Word Origin for 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