Search results
- DictionaryRef·use/rəˈfyo͞oz/
verb
- 1. indicate or show that one is not willing to do something: "I refused to answer"
To refuse is to decline, deny, reject, or resist. If a stranger offers you candy, you should politely refuse. As a noun, refuse (pronounced REF-yooss) is food waste, scraps, or garbage. As a verb, refuse (pronounced ree-FYOOZ) means to reject. If you’re mad at me, you’ll probably refuse my invitation to hang out.
3 days ago · SYNONYMS 1. rebuff. 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.
1. 2. noun. 1.a. c1390–. Anything that is rejected, discarded, or thrown away; rubbish, waste, residue; (now esp.) household waste. Formerly also as a count noun. Also figurative and in figurative contexts. In early use also spec.: wool (or silk) of the poorest quality (see quots. 1443–5, 1455–6 ).
B1. to say that you will not do or accept something: I asked him to leave but he refused. [ + to do sth ] Cathy refuses to admit that she was wrong. Fewer examples. I refuse to compromise my principles. If you refuse to obey the law, you'll be arrested. The Pentagon refused to comment on potential military targets.
5 days ago · 1. transitive verb/intransitive verb. If you refuse to do something, you deliberately do not do it, or you say firmly that you will not do it. He refused to comment after the trial. I could hardly refuse, could I? 2. transitive verb. If someone refuses you something, they do not give it to you or do not allow you to have it.
1 [intransitive, transitive] to say that you will not do something that someone has asked you to do Go on, ask her; she can hardly refuse. refuse to do something He flatly refused to discuss the matter. She refused to accept that there was a problem.
1. a. To indicate unwillingness to do, accept, give, or allow: She was refused admittance. He refused treatment. b. To indicate unwillingness (to do something): refused to leave. 2. To decline to jump (an obstacle). Used of a horse. v.intr. To decline to do, accept, give, or allow something.
