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
The Athletic reported that Woods previously pleaded not guilty to driving under the influence with property damage, and refusal to submit to a urinalysis.
—
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Altenar contends that Sportradar has violated the Sherman Act by attempting to monopolize via refusal to deal.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2026
State and county prosecutors have been frustrated by the refusal of federal authorities to share information on the incident, as well as the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The college agreed to faculty training on Title IX and a revision of college policies to clarify that refusal to use a person’s preferred name and pronoun could constitute harassment.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2026
Altenar contends that Sportradar has violated the Sherman Act by attempting to monopolize via refusal to deal.
—Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 7 Apr. 2026
State and county prosecutors have been frustrated by the refusal of federal authorities to share information on the incident, as well as the fatal shootings of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers.
—Steve Karnowski, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2026
The college agreed to faculty training on Title IX and a revision of college policies to clarify that refusal to use a person’s preferred name and pronoun could constitute harassment.
—ABC News, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusal
Noun
-
This election could reshape not just Hungary but signal a broader European rejection of the illiberal, nationalist movements Orbán inspired among the global far-right.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
10 Apr. 2026
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As GLP-1s become more ubiquitous, leading many to scramble after insurance rejections, both manufacturers are looking to draw in more customers who either prefer to avoid a needle or were unable to swing the out-of-pocket price.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
10 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Is this part of a process of grieving or one of denial?—
Cressida Leyshon,
New Yorker,
12 Apr. 2026
-
The judge’s denial was overturned on appeal.—
Tony Saavedra,
Oc Register,
12 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusal. Accessed 17 Apr. 2026.
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