yvlog

Advertisement

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
Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˈڳܲ, noun
  • ˈڳܲ, adjective
Discover More

Other yvlogs From

  • ·ڳܲa· adjective
  • ·ڳܲİ noun
  • ܲȴ-·ڳܲ adjective
  • un·ڳܲa· adjective
  • ܲr·ڳܲ adjective
  • ܲr·ڳܲiԲ adjective
Discover More

yvlog 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
Discover More

yvlog 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
Discover More

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.
Discover More

Example Sentences

Westminster City Council said it granted the "vast majority" of licensing applications and only refused ones where safety concerns had been raised by the police or because significant disruption was likely.

From

But, having repeatedly vowed to fight to the end, he could still refuse to go quietly.

From

He pushed ahead with unpopular policies, and refused to apologise for his wife, who had antagonised the public by accepting luxury gifts.

From

The juror said he refused to believe another eye witness because “‘if I heard shots, I would fall onto the floor and try to protect myself’.”

From

Green GEN Cymru confirmed it had applied for court warrants to access private land by force after landowners refused its initial applications.

From

Advertisement

Related yvlogs

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement