Refuse: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ซ
refuse
[ rษชหfjuหz ]
deny
To indicate that one is not willing to accept or grant something requested or demanded. Refusing can be a formal or informal act of rejection, often done in a polite or respectful manner.
Synonyms
decline, reject, repudiate, turn down.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| refuse |
Use 'refuse' when you strongly say no to something, typically on moral or personal grounds.
|
| reject |
Use 'reject' to indicate dismissing or not accepting something, often with a sense of criticism or disapproval.
|
| decline |
Use 'decline' when you say no to something in a polite and formal way.
|
| turn down |
Use 'turn down' when you want to say no to an offer or invitation in an informal or casual setting.
|
| repudiate |
Use 'repudiate' in a formal context when you need to strongly reject or deny association with something, often in a legal or rhetorical situation.
|
Examples of usage
- I had to refuse his offer to help because I wanted to do it on my own.
- She refused to attend the meeting as a sign of protest against the decision.
- If you refuse to follow the rules, you will face consequences.
garbage
To indicate that something is not accepted or wanted, often due to being of poor quality or not meeting standards. Refusing in this context is a way of disposing of or getting rid of unwanted items or material.
Synonyms
disapprove, discard, junk, scrap.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| refuse |
As a noun, it refers to waste or garbage. Often utilized in contexts related to trash disposal.
|
| disapprove |
Use when someone shows judgment or lack of approval for an action, decision, or behavior. This word often conveys a sense of moral or ethical opposition.
|
| scrap |
Applicable when referring to metal waste or recyclable materials. It can also imply the decision to abandon or cease a plan or project.
|
| discard |
This is suited for removing or getting rid of something that is no longer useful or wanted. It is frequently used in the context of objects or plans.
|
| junk |
Informally denotes something to be thrown away because it is useless or of little value. This term carries a negative connotation and is used mostly for physical items.
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Examples of usage
- I refuse to eat this food because it smells bad and looks old.
- The company refused to accept the shipment of defective products.
- We refuse to tolerate any form of discrimination in our workplace.
Translations
Translations of the word "refuse" in other languages:
๐ต๐น recusar
๐ฎ๐ณ เค เคธเฅเคตเฅเคเคพเคฐ เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช ablehnen
๐ฎ๐ฉ menolak
๐บ๐ฆ ะฒัะดะผะพะฒะปััะธัั
๐ต๐ฑ odmรณwiฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๆๅฆใใ (ใใใฒใใ)
๐ซ๐ท refuser
๐ช๐ธ rechazar
๐น๐ท reddetmek
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฑฐ์ ํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ุฑูุถ
๐จ๐ฟ odmรญtnout
๐ธ๐ฐ odmietnuลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ๆ็ป (jรนjuรฉ)
๐ธ๐ฎ zavrniti
๐ฎ๐ธ hafna
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะฐั ัะฐััั
๐ฌ๐ช แฃแแ แแก แแฅแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ imtina etmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ rechazar
Etymology
The word 'refuse' originates from the Latin word 'refusare', meaning to reject or decline. It entered the English language in the late 14th century with the same meaning of rejecting or denying something. Over time, its usage expanded to include the idea of garbage or waste that is rejected or disposed of. The word has evolved to encompass both the act of denial and the act of discarding unwanted items.