as in rejection
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
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Recent Examples of refusal
But my absence should not be mistaken for a refusal to provide security for the parade’s safety.
—
Elliot Cosgrove, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
The governor deflected to a rant about a DOJ lawsuit filed Wednesday over her refusal to reverse a RMV policy banning ICE from obtaining undercover license plates.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
China’s refusal is reportedly not due to paying the fee, but due to a requirement that all chips subjected to the fee must be routed through the US.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
However, if one were to open within 18 months, Towson members would have the first right of refusal.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Elliot Cosgrove, New York Daily News, 29 May 2026
The governor deflected to a rant about a DOJ lawsuit filed Wednesday over her refusal to reverse a RMV policy banning ICE from obtaining undercover license plates.
—Tim Dunn, Boston Herald, 28 May 2026
China’s refusal is reportedly not due to paying the fee, but due to a requirement that all chips subjected to the fee must be routed through the US.
—Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 27 May 2026
However, if one were to open within 18 months, Towson members would have the first right of refusal.
—Jt Moodee Lockman, CBS News, 27 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusal
Noun
-
For the next two years, Adamson and Watson struggled through label rejections, an aborted stint opening for Alice Cooper with a mediocre backing band, and some uneven sessions with Roxy Music producer Chris Thomas.—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
30 May 2026
-
There is, however, ongoing discussion about whether the introduction of hierarchy might have contributed to the decline of mega-sites due to an overall rejection of that form of organization.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Noun
-
The Ohio Supreme Court has rejected lawsuits challenging several permits granted by the OPSB, but hasn't yet ruled on multiple cases brought by developers seeking to reverse an OPSB denial.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
-
Rivals such as China and Russia continue developing advanced anti-access and area-denial systems that threaten traditional airborne surveillance aircraft.—
Aamir Khollam,
Interesting Engineering,
30 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusal. Accessed 1 Jun. 2026.
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