View synonyms for

refuse

[ ri-fyooz ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used with object)

refused, refusing.

to decline to accept (something offered):
to refuse an award.
Synonyms:
Antonyms: ,
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.

verb (used without object)

refused, refusing.

to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.

refuse

[ ref-yoos ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

adjective

rejected as worthless; discarded:
refuse matter.

refuse

/ ��ɪˈ��ː�� /

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); 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

refuse

/ ˈ��ɛ��ː�� /

noun

1. anything thrown away; waste; rubbish
2. ( as modifier )
  a refuse collection

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Derived Forms

��ˈ�ڳܲ��, noun
��ˈ�ڳܲ��, adjective

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Other Word Forms

��·�ڳܲ�a·�� adjective
��·�ڳܲ�İ� noun
��ܲ��ȴ��-��·�ڳܲ�� adjective
un��·�ڳܲ�a·�� adjective
�ܲ�r��·�ڳܲ�� adjective
�ܲ�r��·�ڳܲ�i�Բ� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of refuse¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English refusen, from Middle French refuser, Old French ultimately from Latin ��ū��ܲ�, 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

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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

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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.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Mike Long, a spokesperson for the union, said 14 members were arrested for refusing to disperse at a march after the rally, a tactic, he said, meant to underscore the severity of the situation.

From

Seemingly not trusting anyone under 70 with power — and refusing to acknowledge the legitimate concerns about aging and inevitable decline— has been tried.

From

However, a new formal process - which will involve a match observation by an FA official - will give the body the ability to remove or refuse a player's permission to play in the women's game.

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He fled but his friend was arrested, and spent a night in the cells after refusing to speak English to the police.

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He warned that cities refusing to turn over details on undocumented migrants, referred to as “sanctuary cities,” would face funding cuts.

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Related Words

refusal refusenik

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