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

Discovery sued the NBA, claiming that the league breached its current deal by allegedly refusing to honor Turner’s rights to match an offer from Amazon Prime Video for streaming rights.

From Los Angeles Times

Bellingham addressed reports that he refused to speak to the media during the tournament.

From BBC

Some school districts refused, though it's quite possible others gave in out of an unwillingness to fight with Walters to defend their students.

From Salon

Two were refused bail to appear at Newcastle local court on Monday.

From Salon

Pakistan's interior minister said the protesters had been offered an alternative venue for their protest but had refused.

From BBC

Related Words

• debris
• rubbish
• trash
• waste