refuse
1to 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
1synonym study For refuse
Other words for refuse
Opposites for refuse
Other words from refuse
- re·fus·a·ble, adjective
- re·fus·er, noun
- qua·si-re·fused, adjective
- un·re·fus·a·ble, adjective
- un·re·fused, adjective
- un·re·fus·ing, adjective
Other definitions for refuse (2 of 2)
rejected as worthless; discarded: refuse matter.
Origin of refuse
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use refuse in a sentence
“James Woods refuses to toe the Hollyweird line,” Twitchy managing editor Lori Ziganto told The Daily Beast in an email.
How James Woods Became Obama’s Biggest Twitter Troll | Asawin Suebsaeng | December 31, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTKanye refuses to stomach any rejection, no matter how upper crust.
Kanye West and Kim Kardashian’s Balmain Campaign: High Fashion Meets Low Culture | Amy Zimmerman | December 23, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTLometcha refuses to discuss the earlier history of Belgika—more than once he retorts, “Ask the Belgians!”
Despite a dizzying number of women coming forward against her husband, Camille Cosby refuses to sharpen her blade of vengeance.
For weeks preceding the bash, Hitch refuses to have anything to do with it.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days | David Freeman | December 13, 2014 | THE DAILY BEAST
It is no good settling down in a world that, on its part, refuses to do anything of the sort.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation | H. G. (Herbert George) WellsA familiar example is that of a city which refuses to pay a judgment that has been rendered against it.
Putnam's Handy Law Book for the Layman | Albert Sidney BollesAnd Ramoun welcomes Veran, and hopes that Mirèio will wed him, and calls his daughter, who gently refuses.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred DownerAs for Bathyllus, you will say, the crowd round him is still too great, and he refuses more ladies than he gratifies.
The 'Characters' of Jean de La Bruyre | Jean de La BruyreRamoun is equally proud of his wealth, earned by the sweat ofPg 119 his brow, and sternly refuses.
Frdric Mistral | Charles Alfred Downer
British Dictionary definitions for refuse (1 of 2)
/ (rɪˈfjuːz) /
(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); decline: he 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
Origin of refuse
1Derived forms of refuse
- refusable, adjective
- refuser, noun
British Dictionary definitions for refuse (2 of 2)
/ (ˈrɛfjuːs) /
anything thrown away; waste; rubbish
(as modifier): a refuse collection
Origin of refuse
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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