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
Higher courts, including the Supreme Court had refused to intercede, and the stay was to expire tonight.
The Back Alley, Low Blow-Ridden Fight to Stop Gay Marriage in Florida Is Finally Over | Jay Michaelson | January 5, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIn life, José Saramago refused to see his once-rejected book Skylight published.
A practical man who refused to run from the dreams that always drove him.
GOP leaders refused; they saw that Duke was pulling blue-collar Democrats to the party.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department refused to discuss the case on the record.
Japanese Bitcoin Heist ‘an Inside Job,’ Not Hackers Alone | Nathalie-Kyoko Stucky, Jake Adelstein | January 1, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
They were never refused, for their recipients looked upon them much in the light of a royal command.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3) | Charles James WillsCondillac after the marquis's death had refused to pay tithes to Mother Church and has flouted and insulted the Bishop.
St. Martin's Summer | Rafael SabatiniI desired the captain would please to accept this ring in return of his civilities, which he absolutely refused.
Gulliver's Travels | Jonathan SwiftThe sepoys refused to obey, and the sowars, drawing their pistols, shot dead or severely wounded six British officers.
The Red Year | Louis TracyHow many times more would you have wished to be refused, and how many refusals would have been required to give me my liberty?
Confidence | Henry James
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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