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 of refusal

• rejection
• denial

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 suspense is driven in part by Warsh’s refusal to telegraph what the Fed is likely to do. — Matt Egan, CNN Money, 28 July 2026

The agents were not an anonymous adversary ignoring a provider's terms, but OpenAI's own models inside an authorized evaluation with their cyber refusals deliberately lowered. — Janakiram Msv, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026

Earlier versions of the ROAD Act would have forced BTR owners to sell their homes after seven years while offering tenants a right of first refusal to buy. — Aldo Svaldi, Denver Post, 27 July 2026

But the very qualities that made her controversial—precision, control, refusal, an almost forensic relationship to detail—also made her work possible. — Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing refusal

• (the right of) first refusal

Rhymes for refusal

• occlusal
• perusal
• recusal

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