refusal
noun
re·fus·al
ri-ˈfyü-zəl 
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking before others
Examples of refusal in a Sentence
My request for more money was met with a flat refusal.
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
Recent Examples on the Web
What stays with me in Ursuța’s show is her refusal of triumph.
—
Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Israel blamed Hamas for the resumption of hostilities, citing the militant group’s refusal to meet Israel’s demand to release more hostages.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
But Mamdani and his earliest allies, having watched Joe Biden and Kamala Harris lose support over their refusal to oppose the Netanyahu government’s destruction of Gaza, were confident that his position on the war would be a strength.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The company already agreed to cancel $164 million in federal funding earlier this year, and was recently entangled in litigation over alleged refusal to pay contractors.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Jerry Saltz, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
Israel blamed Hamas for the resumption of hostilities, citing the militant group’s refusal to meet Israel’s demand to release more hostages.
—Alexander Smith, NBC news, 9 Oct. 2025
But Mamdani and his earliest allies, having watched Joe Biden and Kamala Harris lose support over their refusal to oppose the Netanyahu government’s destruction of Gaza, were confident that his position on the war would be a strength.
—Eric Lach, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2025
The company already agreed to cancel $164 million in federal funding earlier this year, and was recently entangled in litigation over alleged refusal to pay contractors.
—Connor Giffin, Louisville Courier Journal, 9 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refusal
noun
re·fus·al
ri-ˈfyü-zəl
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking (as a purchase) before others
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