refused; refusing
1
: to express oneself as unwilling to accept
refuse a gift
refuse a promotion
2
a
: to show or express unwillingness to do or comply with
refused to answer the question
b
: to not allow someone to have or do (something) : deny
they were refused admittance to the game
4
of a horse
: to decline to jump or leap over
: to withhold acceptance, compliance, or permission
refuser
noun
Synonyms
Examples of refuse in a Sentence
Verb
When they offered me the money, I couldn't refuse.
They asked her to help but she refused.
Noun
refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up
Recent Examples on the Web
Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the settlement that ended the Vietnam War, jointly receiving the award with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam, who refused the honor.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023
When Spitzer tried to drop the rape charges, however, Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregory Jones refused to let him and questioned his ability to handle the case, considering the bitter political feud in which it was entangled.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
The advocates and physicians also complained that, while Vertex maintained its donation program is a workable solution, the executives refused to disclose details about the extent of the initiative and how many people are benefiting.
$30 for your first 3 months.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 28 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, Jassy himself suggested in August that the prospects of employees who refused to comply with the rules were dim.
—Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2023
One potential catalyst would be evidence that inflation is refusing to return to the Federal Reserve’s target, which could encourage the central bank to keep interest rates at high levels next year.
—Joe Wallace, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023
Netanyahu, despite growing international pressure, repeatedly refused to consider a cease-fire without the release of hostages.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023
Hollman refused to sign the citation, an arrestable offense at the time of the incident, according to APD.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Residents of District 3 should leave their refuse at 153 Flint River Road in Riverdale, while citizens of District 4 need to leave their trash at 1303 Government Circle in Jonesboro.
—Leon Stafford, ajc, 7 Apr. 2023
The data includes samples from the world's five major gyres, or current systems, which sweep particles from inhabited areas to create large collections of refuse.
—Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2023
All hazardous material removed during this first phase must be loaded into containers and shipped to licensed disposal sites on the mainland, because the island does not have a facility to handle such refuse.
—Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
The refuse comes from all over the state, and farther afield, but its single biggest source is New York City, which sent about a quarter of the total haul in 2021, averaging about 1,500 tons daily.
—Jesse McKinley Lauren Petracca, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
The best way to avoid those clogs is to close the sink drain during a shave, then wipe up the refuse and throw it in the trash. 3.
—Rachel Kurzius, Anchorage Daily News, 30 May 2023
Surely, there’s someplace nearby that can serve as the eternal resting spot for such refuse, right?
—Bill Donahue, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023
They have also been found with many non-food items in their stomachs, including metal objects, plastics, burlap sacks and other refuse.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 18 June 2023
Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023
The initial one of these Lunaz is focusing on is refuse collection.
—James Morris, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023
See More
Verb
There was comfort for Onana in that his manager Erik ten Hag refused to blame the goalkeeper when asked by the press.
—Zak Garner-Purkis, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023
Kissinger was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the settlement that ended the Vietnam War, jointly receiving the award with Le Duc Tho of North Vietnam, who refused the honor.
—Phil Helsel, NBC News, 30 Nov. 2023
When Spitzer tried to drop the rape charges, however, Orange County Superior Court Judge Gregory Jones refused to let him and questioned his ability to handle the case, considering the bitter political feud in which it was entangled.
—Christopher Goffard, Los Angeles Times, 29 Nov. 2023
The advocates and physicians also complained that, while Vertex maintained its donation program is a workable solution, the executives refused to disclose details about the extent of the initiative and how many people are benefiting.
$30 for your first 3 months.
—Ed Silverman, STAT, 28 Nov. 2023
Meanwhile, Jassy himself suggested in August that the prospects of employees who refused to comply with the rules were dim.
—Chloe Taylor, Fortune, 28 Nov. 2023
One potential catalyst would be evidence that inflation is refusing to return to the Federal Reserve’s target, which could encourage the central bank to keep interest rates at high levels next year.
—Joe Wallace, WSJ, 28 Nov. 2023
Netanyahu, despite growing international pressure, repeatedly refused to consider a cease-fire without the release of hostages.
—Patrick Smith, NBC News, 22 Nov. 2023
Hollman refused to sign the citation, an arrestable offense at the time of the incident, according to APD.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 21 Nov. 2023
Noun
Across the city, residential trash pickup in many cases was canceled, delaying refuse removal schedules by one day for the remainder of the week.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 9 Aug. 2023
Residents of District 3 should leave their refuse at 153 Flint River Road in Riverdale, while citizens of District 4 need to leave their trash at 1303 Government Circle in Jonesboro.
—Leon Stafford, ajc, 7 Apr. 2023
The data includes samples from the world's five major gyres, or current systems, which sweep particles from inhabited areas to create large collections of refuse.
—Michael Birnbaum The Washington Post, Arkansas Online, 12 Mar. 2023
All hazardous material removed during this first phase must be loaded into containers and shipped to licensed disposal sites on the mainland, because the island does not have a facility to handle such refuse.
—Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 25 Sep. 2023
The refuse comes from all over the state, and farther afield, but its single biggest source is New York City, which sent about a quarter of the total haul in 2021, averaging about 1,500 tons daily.
—Jesse McKinley Lauren Petracca, New York Times, 17 Sep. 2023
The best way to avoid those clogs is to close the sink drain during a shave, then wipe up the refuse and throw it in the trash. 3.
—Rachel Kurzius, Anchorage Daily News, 30 May 2023
Surely, there’s someplace nearby that can serve as the eternal resting spot for such refuse, right?
—Bill Donahue, BostonGlobe.com, 19 Jan. 2023
They have also been found with many non-food items in their stomachs, including metal objects, plastics, burlap sacks and other refuse.
—Chris Eberhart, Fox News, 18 June 2023
Adjective
Everything is tightly regulated in Rwanda, from refuse management to social organization.
—Noo Saro-Wiwa, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 Oct. 2023
The initial one of these Lunaz is focusing on is refuse collection.
—James Morris, Forbes, 1 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'refuse.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, from Anglo-French refuser, from Vulgar Latin *refusare, perhaps blend of Latin refutare to refute and recusare to demur — more at recuse
Noun
Middle English, from Anglo-French, from refuser
First Known Use
Verb
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Adjective
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of refuse was
in the 14th century
Phrases Containing refuse
Dictionary Entries Near refuse
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refuse. Accessed 9 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
refuse
1 of 2 verb
re·fuse
ri-ˈfyüz 
refused; refusing
1
: to say one will not accept : reject
refused the money
2
a
: to show or express positive unwillingness
refused to act
b
: to say one will not grant : deny
was refused entrance
3
: to withhold the accepting, following, or permitting of something
refuser
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on refuse
Nglish: Translation of refuse for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of refuse for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about refuse
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share