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refuse
1[ ri-fyooz ]
/ rɪˈfyuz /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
verb (used with object), re·fused, re·fus·ing.
verb (used without object), re·fused, re·fus·ing.
to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.
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Origin of refuse
1First 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 FROM refuse
Words nearby refuse
refund, refund annuity, refurb, refurbish, refusal, refuse, refusenik, refusion, refutable, refutation, refutative
Other definitions for refuse (2 of 2)
refuse2
[ 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
21325–75; 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. 2021
How to use refuse in a sentence
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); 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 of refuse
refusable, adjectiverefuser, nounWord Origin for refuse
C14: from Old French refuser, from Latin refundere to pour back; see refund
British Dictionary definitions for refuse (2 of 2)
refuse2
/ (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
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