refusal

noun

re·​fus·​al ri-ˈfyü-zəl How to pronounce refusal (audio)
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 His refusal led to him being stripped of his heavyweight championships and being largely forced out of boxing for years. Joe Otterson, Variety, 11 Mar. 2024 That could open a potentially major opportunity for Xi, whose close ties with Putin and refusal to condemn his invasion have damaged China’s relationship with Europe and set back its longtime bid to drive a wedge between Europe and the United States. Simone McCarthy, CNN, 10 Mar. 2024 Ek’s video message comes after EU Vice President Margrethe Vestager said Apple’s refusal to inform consumers of cheaper options amounted to anti-steering provisions that violated European antitrust law. Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 5 Mar. 2024 Baker, a Democrat, contrasted the Republican governor’s decision to offer clemency to Reid with his refusal to not commute the sentences of Kevin Strickland and Lamar Johnson, two Black men who were wrongly imprisoned and later freed. Jonathan Shorman, Kansas City Star, 2 Mar. 2024 Questions still to be resolved include how many trucks of aid will be allowed into Gaza, ratios of hostages to prisoners — and which ones — amid competing demands and refusals from Israel and Hamas. Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024 With Israel's refusal to allow in more aid, famine has descended on a population already weakened by five months of war. Jane Arraf, NPR, 1 Mar. 2024 Many Israelis saw that refusal as the unforgivable crossing of a red line that made Israel look weak in the eyes of its enemies. Isabel Kershner, New York Times, 28 Feb. 2024 In Michigan, a push to encourage voters to send President Biden a message about his refusal to call for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza may have worked. Erika Ryan, NPR, 29 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refusal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of refusal was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near refusal

Cite this Entry

“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

refusal

noun
re·​fus·​al ri-ˈfyü-zəl How to pronounce refusal (audio)
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking (as a purchase) before others

More from Merriam-Webster on refusal

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