as in rejection
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of refusal
At certain times, such conspiratorial thinking and refusal to accept the evidence will become dangerous—people will spin up fantasies that result in acts of defamation or threats of violence.
—
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
Turner was given a black card, the harshest penalty in the sport, for her refusal to fence Sullivan, disqualified from the event and dealt a 12-month probation.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The current fight is about Tony’s latest contract demands and what city leaders say is his refusal to communicate or provide backup documents, making negotiations impossible.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2025
Despite Moore’s refusal to entertain 2028 talk, several prominent voices within the party and beyond have begun to elevate his name.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Kaitlyn Tiffany, The Atlantic, 7 Aug. 2025
Turner was given a black card, the harshest penalty in the sport, for her refusal to fence Sullivan, disqualified from the event and dealt a 12-month probation.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2025
The current fight is about Tony’s latest contract demands and what city leaders say is his refusal to communicate or provide backup documents, making negotiations impossible.
—Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 31 July 2025
Despite Moore’s refusal to entertain 2028 talk, several prominent voices within the party and beyond have begun to elevate his name.
—Heather Hunter, The Washington Examiner, 30 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusal
Noun
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Still on a minutes limit, Brink played 12 minutes, registering two steals and three blocks, including a monster rejection on the All-Star Williams in the fourth quarter.—
Sabreena Merchant,
New York Times,
2 Aug. 2025
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The protesters gathered in response to the Senate's rejection of two resolutions introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, an Independent, to block an arms deal to Israel.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
1 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Ambiguities or omissions can result in a denial of the guarantee.—
Adam Craig,
Forbes.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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This denial contradicted claims made in a lawsuit alleging that the high pressure to meet arrest targets led ICE to carry out unlawful raids in Los Angeles.—
Billal Rahman,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusal. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
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