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
Synonyms
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
The refusal by two major hospitals to treat her emergency condition violated federal law — the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act of 1986, known as EMTALA.
—
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, confronts these snubs with a wholesale refusal of genre.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
Detroit had tendered Wright, 25, a one-year offer of just below $3 million to maintain the right of refusal if Wright signed an offer sheet elsewhere.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Your book is dealing with that too, this mortification of the flesh and Matrix-y refusal to engage with the body, denying the kids are going to find ways to make out in the bushes.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
In the valet’s account, laid out in a transcript obtained by The New York Times, an agitated Mr. Trump pressured Mr. Pence to overturn the election and stewed about Mr. Pence’s refusal for hours after violence engulfed Congress.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Earlier this month, Lambert didn't show up for a hearing concerning her refusal to comply with a court order requiring her to undergo fingerprinting.
—Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
Always more progressive than her current country peers, Kacey Musgraves is also celebrated for her refusal to trade authenticity for success.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
Even a surprise proposal from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to oust Johnson introduced Friday was met with refusal from some of her peers, indicating there’s not much appetite for further chaos from the right flank of the conference.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 2024
Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 5 Apr. 2024
Cowboy Carter, Beyoncé’s eighth studio album, confronts these snubs with a wholesale refusal of genre.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Apr. 2024
Detroit had tendered Wright, 25, a one-year offer of just below $3 million to maintain the right of refusal if Wright signed an offer sheet elsewhere.
—Michael Nowels, The Mercury News, 3 Apr. 2024
Your book is dealing with that too, this mortification of the flesh and Matrix-y refusal to engage with the body, denying the kids are going to find ways to make out in the bushes.
—Hazlitt, 3 Apr. 2024
In the valet’s account, laid out in a transcript obtained by The New York Times, an agitated Mr. Trump pressured Mr. Pence to overturn the election and stewed about Mr. Pence’s refusal for hours after violence engulfed Congress.
—Maggie Haberman, New York Times, 21 Mar. 2024
Earlier this month, Lambert didn't show up for a hearing concerning her refusal to comply with a court order requiring her to undergo fingerprinting.
—Detroit Free Press, 21 Mar. 2024
Always more progressive than her current country peers, Kacey Musgraves is also celebrated for her refusal to trade authenticity for success.
—Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY, 15 Mar. 2024
Even a surprise proposal from Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., to oust Johnson introduced Friday was met with refusal from some of her peers, indicating there’s not much appetite for further chaos from the right flank of the conference.
—USA TODAY, 24 Mar. 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
Phrases Containing refusal
Dictionary Entries Near refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on refusal
Nglish: Translation of refusal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of refusal for Arabic Speakers
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