refused; refusing
1
: to express oneself as unwilling to accept
refuse a gift
refuse a promotion
2
a
: to show or express unwillingness to do or comply with
refused to answer the question
b
: to not allow someone to have or do (something) : deny
they were refused admittance to the game
4
of a horse
: to decline to jump or leap over
: to withhold acceptance, compliance, or permission
refuser
noun
Synonyms
Examples of refuse in a Sentence
Verb
When they offered me the money, I couldn't refuse.
They asked her to help but she refused.
Noun
refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up
Recent Examples on the Web
Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony refuses to debate the other Democratic candidates ahead of the primary on Aug. 20.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024
Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2024
The Brazilian brand is also known for its sustainability efforts, which include creating shoes from factory refuse and reusing most of the wastewater from its manufacturing processes.
—Erin Bunch, SELF, 26 June 2024
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 
Verb
When the tribal police brought the man into a holding cell, the jailers refused to accept the suspect, and the tribal officers refused to release him.
—Rachel Monroe, The New Yorker, 5 Aug. 2024
Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony refuses to debate the other Democratic candidates ahead of the primary on Aug. 20.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 5 Aug. 2024
Noun
People used some caves as personal dumps, choking the subterranean passes with refuse.
—Maya Wei-Haas, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 July 2024
The Brazilian brand is also known for its sustainability efforts, which include creating shoes from factory refuse and reusing most of the wastewater from its manufacturing processes.
—Erin Bunch, SELF, 26 June 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near refuse
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuse. Accessed 19 Aug. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refuse
1 of 2 verb
re·fuse
ri-ˈfyüz 
refused; refusing
1
: to say one will not accept : reject
refused the money
2
a
: to show or express positive unwillingness
refused to act
b
: to say one will not grant : deny
was refused entrance
3
: to withhold the accepting, following, or permitting of something
refuser
noun
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