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Showing results for refuse. Search instead for re-fuses.
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.

However, some residents of the villages refuse to leave.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

They take inspiration from the characters in their daily lives and refuse to watch any other TV shows.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 1, 2026

The lower house National Assembly in January passed legislation demanding all social media platforms refuse new users under 15 and suspend accounts belonging to children under that age.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

Those who refuse to do so are punished.

From Salon • Mar. 26, 2026

I wanted so badly to get home, but it would’ve been too odd to refuse.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.