refuse

¹

[ ri-fyooz ]

verb (used with object)

, re·fused, re·fus·ing.

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)

, re·fused, re·fus·ing.

1. to decline acceptance, consent, or compliance.

refuse

²

[ ref-yoos ]

noun

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

adjective

1. rejected as worthless; discarded:

   refuse matter.

refuse

¹

/ 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

/ ˈrɛfjuːs /

noun

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

      a refuse collection

Derived Forms

• reˈfuser, noun
• reˈfusable, adjective

Other Words From

• 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

Word History and Origins

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

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

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.

Example Sentences

“Coloradans remember the King Soopers strike well. Many of us refused to cross the picket line to support workers’ right to fair wages,” David Seligman, executive director of Towards Justice, said in a statement.

From Salon

McCartney said confusion over the break-up had festered because the band's new manager Allen Klein - with whom he refused to align - said he had needed time to tie up some financial loose ends.

From BBC

"In fact, one or two of them make me feel quite lefty," he jokes, but refuses to tell me more.

From BBC

Most white fathers refused to recognise their mixed-race children or acknowledge paternity, and the children also did not automatically receive Belgian nationality.

From BBC

In a standout episode of the series, “Self Esteem,” Angela skips geometry review to make out with Jordan in the school boiler room, but grows frustrated as he refuses to acknowledge their relationship in public.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• debris
• rubbish
• trash
• waste