refuse 1 of 3

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refuse

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noun

refuse

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adjective

Synonym Chooser

How is the word refuse different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of refuse are decline, reject, repudiate, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

In what contexts can decline take the place of refuse?

In some situations, the words decline and refuse are roughly equivalent. However, decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When is reject a more appropriate choice than refuse?

The synonyms reject and refuse are sometimes interchangeable, but reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When can repudiate be used instead of refuse?

The words repudiate and refuse can be used in similar contexts, but repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

When could spurn be used to replace refuse?

Although the words spurn and refuse have much in common, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation.

spurned his overtures of friendship

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refuse
Verb
Other political parties in Germany have refused to work with the AfD. But after elections held on Sunday, the AfD has now become the second-largest party, a significant political shift. Scott Neuman, NPR, 25 Feb. 2025 Frame refuses to bask in her exceptionalism, her almost miraculous escape. Audrey Wollen, The New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2025
Noun
The new container rules aim to eliminate the piles of refuse that provide sustenance for up to three million New York rats each year. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 Austin's refuse collection department is jettisoning its biannual brush and bulk collections for an on-demand model. Asher Price, Axios, 31 Oct. 2024
Adjective
Cement mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, which all share a common architecture, will be built first, followed by refuse trucks and terminal tractors. Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023 Everything is tightly regulated in Rwanda, from refuse management to social organization. Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023 See All Example Sentences for refuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuse
Verb
  • Devin Wenig resigned with a $57 million exit package, denying any involvement.
    Marta Balaga, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Andrew and Tristan Tate deny all charges against them.
    Ewan Palmer, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025
Verb
  • Albritton has rejected the idea of passing an open carry bill this year.
    Romy Ellenbogen, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2025
  • While some states complied and the NCAA revised its own trans athlete policy, states like Minnesota have rejected changes to their policies.
    Scott Thompson, Fox News, 7 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • People will be painting, planting trees, spreading mulch and cleaning up garbage starting at 9 a.m.
    Sal Pizarro, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2025
  • Other videos on social media show people picking up food scraps from the garbage.
    Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 4 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • Research from analytics firm Gallup shows that U.S. alcohol consumption is declining, with younger generations drinking significantly less than their predecessors.
    Dan Perry, Newsweek, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Daily meme coin launches peaked shortly after the $trump coin debut but have declined sharply.
    Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • And no, not because Disney is ignoring him or passing him over.
    Paul Tassi, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2025
  • But in the 1990s, when social practice art was gaining traction within European museums (especially in the United Kingdom), most Latin American institutions were ignoring that development, which remained limited to underground networks.
    Fabiola Iza, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Even if the garage door is open, don't start a vehicle if the garage is attached to a home. Furnace and fireplaces: Keep fireplaces clean and in good condition, make sure no debris is blocking the vents or chimney.
    Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 27 Feb. 2025
  • Residents who live near local landfills say the wildfire debris should be sent to hazardous waste landfills instead.
    Tony Briscoe, Los Angeles Times, 26 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • Inspectors put two coolers at a Miami 7-Eleven on the Do Not Use list and the trash was the new home for bacon, cheeseburgers, milk, Jamaican meat patties and other food in one of those coolers.
    David J. Neal, Miami Herald, 2 Mar. 2025
  • Coming into contact with trash from unknown sources can be risky.
    Patty Weasler, RN, BSN, Verywell Health, 26 Feb. 2025
Adjective
  • This anti-waste brand upcycles materials, and was founded by Kisa Sky Shiga.
    Nadja Sayej, Forbes, 20 Dec. 2022
  • Fanning out like urban guerrillas through Paris’ darkened streets well after midnight, the anti-waste activists shinny up walls and drain pipes, reaching for switches to turn off the lights. Click.
    The Christian Science Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor, 3 Aug. 2022

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Cite this Entry

“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuse. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.

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