51Թ

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View synonyms for

refuse

1

[ri-fyooz]

verb (used with object)

refused, refusing 
  1. to decline to accept (something offered).

    to refuse an award.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms: ,
  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)

refused, refusing 
  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

/ ɪˈː /

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

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

refuse

2

/ ˈɛː /

noun

    1. anything thrown away; waste; rubbish

    2. ( as modifier )

      a refuse collection

“Collins 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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Other 51Թ Forms

  • refusable adjective
  • refuser noun
  • quasi-refused adjective
  • unrefusable adjective
  • unrefused adjective
  • unrefusing adjective
  • ˈڳܲ noun
  • ˈڳܲ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of refuse1

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English refusen, from Middle French refuser, Old French ultimately from Latin ūܲ, 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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51Թ 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.

"They told us there were three reasons - because we were in a closed military zone, that we refused to hand over our passports and that we refused to leave the area," she said.

From

But on Thursday, the prime minister's official spokesman refused to comment on whether new accommodation would be built.

From

Authorities allege that Ramirez was trying to conceal himself and then ran toward the exit and refused to answer questions about his identity and citizenship.

From

County’s approach of refusing to coordinate with federal immigration officials in any way.

From

Reports of a family fallout began three years ago as stories emerged claiming that Nicola had refused to wear one of Victoria Beckham's designs on her wedding day.

From

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refusalrefusenik