as in rejection
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refusal
After Duncan's refusal, Jennifer and Wong allegedly plotted to kill her parents for her $500,000 share of their estate.
—
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
But the board’s investigators found that medical staff never directly spoke with him, obtained his signature on a medication refusal form or immediately alerted a doctor or nurse practitioner to his refusal as required by policy.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.
—Questlove, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite this refusal, the Miami Herald was able to document one instance in which Suarez’s worlds overlapped — profitably for both the employer and Suarez.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Jessica Sager, PEOPLE, 9 Nov. 2025
But the board’s investigators found that medical staff never directly spoke with him, obtained his signature on a medication refusal form or immediately alerted a doctor or nurse practitioner to his refusal as required by policy.
—Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 Nov. 2025
That tone—of pain, of surprise, of a stubborn refusal to be reduced or diminished—is everywhere in it.
—Questlove, The Atlantic, 7 Nov. 2025
Despite this refusal, the Miami Herald was able to document one instance in which Suarez’s worlds overlapped — profitably for both the employer and Suarez.
—Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusal
Noun
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After numerous rejections, Guiteau's obsession with the president turned deadly.—
Allison DeGrushe,
Entertainment Weekly,
10 Nov. 2025
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To many, the woman’s rejection symbolized deeper concerns around communication and respect in relationships.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Nov. 2025
Noun
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Fossil fuel production is still increasing, driving up planet-warming pollution; the United States is in climate denial mode; and turbulent geopolitics have pushed the climate crisis down the agenda and into the culture wars.—
Ella Nilsen,
CNN Money,
7 Nov. 2025
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Neither is convinced by Nixon’s denials of wrongdoing during Watergate.—
Elizabeth B. Kim,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
7 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusal. Accessed 27 Nov. 2025.
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