Synonyms of refusal

refusal

noun

ri-ˈfyü-zəl 

as in rejection

an unwillingness to grant something asked for

his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling

Synonyms & Similar Words

• rejection
• denial
• nonacceptance
• no
• declination
• nay
• disallowance
• rebuff
• injunction
• veto
• turndown
• repudiation
• repulse
• suppression
• spurn
• ban
• repression
• discouragement
• deterrence
• negative

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• approval
• grant
• allowance
• consent
• agreement
• permission
• acceptance
• sanction
• license
• authorization
• assent
• leave
• clearance
• accession
• acquiescence
• concurrence
• OK
• signature
• seal
• stamp
• sufferance
• imprimatur

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of refusal

Heather Diehl / Getty The latest data, published in JAMA and JAMA Pediatrics, show rates of vitamin K refusals have continued to climb, and begin to connect the dots between rising refusals of the essential vitamin and increased bleeding episodes. — Reuters, NBC news, 6 Nov. 2026

In a subsequent interview, the governor said his Catholic background and the inequities in the criminal justice system influenced his refusal to sign off on executions. — Sonja Sharp, Los Angeles Times, 5 Nov. 2026

In terminating Marsh’s contract and suing her, ADOR alleged that her refusal to work—as well as unauthorized solo projects and photo shoots—broke the contract terms and cost the label some $22 million. — Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 5 Nov. 2026

Demand from your vendors not only leaderboard scores but their refusal behavior, their behavior under distribution shift and their performance on tasks designed to fail. — Zihan Wang, Forbes.com, 5 Nov. 2026