refuse

¹

[ri-fyooz]

verb (used with object)

refused, refusing 

1. to decline to accept (something offered).

   to refuse an award.

   Synonyms: rebuff
   Antonyms: take, accept

2. to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.).

   to refuse permission.

3. to express a determination not to (do something).

   to refuse to discuss the question.

4. to decline to submit to.

5. (of a horse) to decline to leap over (a barrier).

6. to decline to accept (a suitor) in marriage.

7. 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.

8. Obsolete.,  to renounce.

verb (used without object)

refused, refusing 

1. to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.

refuse

²

[ref-yoos]

noun

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

adjective

1. rejected as worthless; discarded.

   refuse matter.

refuse

¹

/ rɪˈfjuːz /

verb

1. (tr) to decline to accept (something offered)

   to refuse a present

   to refuse promotion

2. to decline to give or grant (something) to (a person, organization, etc)

3. (when tr, takes an infinitive) to express determination not (to do something); decline

   he refuses to talk about it

4. (of a horse) to be unwilling to take (a jump), as by swerving or stopping

5. (tr) (of a woman) to declare one's unwillingness to accept (a suitor) as a husband

refuse

²

/ ˈrɛfjuːs /

noun

1. 1. anything thrown away; waste; rubbish

   2. ( as modifier )

      a refuse collection

Other Word Forms

• refusable adjective
• refuser noun
• quasi-refused adjective
• unrefusable adjective
• unrefused adjective
• unrefusing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of refuse¹

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”; refund ¹

Origin of refuse²

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Middle French, Old French refus “dross, waste,” derivative of refuser to refuse ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of refuse¹

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

Origin of refuse²

C15: from Old French refuser to _refuse ¹

Synonym Study

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.

Example Sentences

"If Republicans continue to refuse to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credit, tens of millions of American taxpayers are going to experience dramatically increased premiums, copays, and deductibles."

From BBC

If American edgelords refuse to acknowledge that ladies can be funny, one wonders how Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman feels about Whitney Cummings.

From Salon

“All of this is vengeance against us because we refused to cooperate,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Social media platforms such as Meta refuse to share information without a court order - which the family does not yet have, despite pressing the FBI to act.

From BBC

An FBI agent has reportedly been suspended because they refused to participate in a "perp walk" of the bureau's former director James Comey, US media reports.

From BBC

Related Words

• decline 
• ignore 
• protest 
• rebuff 
• reject 
• turn down 
• withdraw 
• withhold