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Definitions

refuse

[ri-fyooz] / rɪˈfyuz /
NOUN
garbage
Synonyms
STRONGEST
debris rubbish trash waste
STRONG
dregs dross dump dunghill dust hogwash junk leavings litter muck offal remains residue scraps scum sediment slop sweepings swill
WEAK
rejectamenta waste matter
Antonyms
STRONGEST
possessions sense
STRONG
cleanliness
WEAK
assets property
VERB
deny; say no
Synonyms
STRONGEST
decline ignore protest rebuff reject turn down withdraw withhold
STRONG
demur desist disaccord disallow disapprove dissent dodge evade nix regret repel reprobate repudiate shun spurn
WEAK
beg off brush off dispense with give thumbs down to hold back hold off hold out make excuses not budge not budget not buy not care to pass up refuse to receive send off send regrets set aside turn away turn deaf ear to turn from turn one's back on
Antonyms
STRONGEST
accept allow approve
STRONG
agree consent endorse face meet sanction
WEAK
OK grant offer

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“What’s on the balance sheet does affect the stance of policy, and they should integrate it into their overall analysis, and they refuse to do that,” he added.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 18, 2026

“I refuse to call it a flood anymore,” Juenke said in an interview.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026

Yet, many banks refuse to have any sort of framework to evaluate that, and certainly don’t communicate about it.

From Barron's • Apr. 16, 2026

"Delivery drivers were leaving parcels at my house as they refuse to drive higher up the valley to deliver them to residents."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2026

In the case of these short, stout creatures, it is because of their explicit lack of cunning that they refuse to cower, no matter the size of the threat.

From "The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest" by Aubrey Hartman

Vocabulary lists containing refuse

"Julius Caesar" by William Shakespeare, Act I

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"The Civil Rights Movement"

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"All Summer in a Day" by Ray Bradbury

Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!