refuse

¹ American  

[ri-fyooz] / rɪˈfyuz /

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 American  

[ref-yoos] / ˈrɛf yus /

noun

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

---

adjective

1. rejected as worthless; discarded.

   refuse matter.

refuse ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

/ ˈrɛfjuːs /

noun

1. 1. anything thrown away; waste; rubbish

   2. ( as modifier )

      a refuse collection

---

Related Words

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 Word Forms

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

Etymology

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

Explanation

To refuse is to decline, deny, reject, or resist. If a stranger offers you candy, you should politely refuse. As a noun, refuse (pronounced REF-yooss) is food waste, scraps, or garbage. As a verb, refuse (pronounced ree-FYOOZ) means to reject. If you’re mad at me, you’ll probably refuse my invitation to hang out. If your fashion sense isn't up to date, the bouncer at an exclusive nightclub might refuse entry to you. If you’re sick and you need a kidney transplant, your doctor will give you drugs to stop your body from refusing the donor kidney.

Example Sentences

These residents insist they are neutral and refuse to leave, even as the fighting threatens to engulf their towns and villages.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026

Maybe “Hag” was knocking on my door, trying to manifest the fate I’d been so quick to refuse.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Bhaduri was picky and proud but emphatically said, "I refuse to apologise for love."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

They take inspiration from the characters in their daily lives and refuse to watch any other TV shows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

Watching her, Molly felt something squeeze in her chest and refuse to let go.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

Related Words

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