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

The family of renowned pandemic fundraiser Captain Sir Tom Moore damaged public trust in charities by refusing to donate any of the £1.4m received from his book deal, a long-awaited report has found.

From BBC

The procedure would have been highly illegal and dangerous if Holt had followed through with it, but at the last minute, she refused.

From Salon

Her lawyers had said her case was "identical" to those of her brothers, but the Home Office said her bid was "lawfully refused".

From BBC

The government has refused to comment on the reports for operational reasons, but officials confirmed Defence Secretary John Healey spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart on Tuesday night.

From BBC

That is the reason why I refuse to attend the festival for the promotion of ‘Rust,’ especially now when there is still no justice for my daughter.”

From Salon

Related Words

• debris
• rubbish
• trash
• waste