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1. Dictionary

   Ref·use

   /rəˈfyo͞oz/

   

   verb

   • 1. indicate or show that one is not willing to do something: "I refused to answer"
   • ▪ indicate that one is not willing to accept or grant (something offered or requested): "she refused a cigarette" Similar declineturn downsay no torejectspurnscornrebuffdisdainrepudiatedismissrepulseshake one's headsend one's regretsbalk atdemur atprotest atjib atdraw the line atinformal:pass upknock backwithholdnot grantdisapprovedenydiscountenanceinformal:give the thumbs down toOpposite acceptgrant
   • ▪ (of a thing) fail to perform a required action: "the car refused to start"
   • ▪ decline to accept an offer of marriage from (someone): "he's so conceited he'd never believe anyone would refuse him"
   • ▪ (of a horse) stop short or run alongside (a fence or other obstacle) instead of jumping it: "her horse refused a high hedge"

   Word Origin Middle English: from Old French refuser, probably an alteration of Latin recusare ‘to refuse’, influenced by refutare ‘refute’.

   Derivatives

   • 1. refuser noun

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • R

     1

   • E

     1

   • F

     4

   • U

     1

   • S

     1

   • E

     1

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2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › refuseRefuse Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › refuse

   • Cached

   The meaning of REFUSE is to express oneself as unwilling to accept. How to use refuse in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Refuse.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishREFUSE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   REFUSE definition: 1. to say that you will not do or accept something: 2. unwanted waste material, especially…. Learn more.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › refuseRefuse - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › refuse

   To refuse is to decline, deny, reject, or resist. If a stranger offers you candy, you should politely refuse.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › refuseREFUSE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › refuse

   • Cached

   to decline to give; deny (a request, demand, etc.): to refuse permission. to express a determination not to (do something): to refuse to discuss the question. to decline to submit to. (of a horse) to decline to leap over (a barrier). to decline to accept (a suitor) in marriage.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionaryREFUSE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   to say or show that you are not willing to do, accept, or allow something: [ I ] She asked him for a loan, but he refused. [ T ] We were refused admission to the building. [ + to infinitive ] On cold mornings, the car may refuse to start.

7. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishREFUSE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Refuse consists of the rubbish and all the things that are not wanted in a house, shop, or factory, and that are regularly thrown away; used mainly in official language.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishREFUSE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

   • Cached

   REFUSE definition: 1. to say that you will not do or accept something: 2. waste: . Learn more.

9. www.yourdictionary.com › refuseRefuse Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

   www.yourdictionary.com › refuse

   • Cached

   To decline to accept, agree to, or do something. Webster's New World. Similar definitions. To decline to jump (an obstacle). Used of a horse. American Heritage. More Verb Definitions (6) Synonyms: decline. turn down. pass-up. reject. resist. defy. turn-away.

10. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishrefuse verb - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage notes...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

    • Cached

    Definition of refuse verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

11. www.oed.com › dictionary › refuse_n1refuse, n.¹ & adj. meanings, etymology and more | Oxford English ...

    www.oed.com › dictionary › refuse_n1

    • Cached

    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 ). c1390.