as in rejection
an unwillingness to grant something asked for
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refusal
Likewise, the refusal of gold to take a break before Friday was becoming a worry point.
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
The university system said refusal to comply could result in federal court enforcement and sanctions.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
This, combined with Uchis’ refusal to compromise her bilingual identity — exemplified by 2020’s Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), her first album entirely in Spanish, and her decision to alternate between languages on subsequent albums — has propelled her journey.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
There are a number of ways this process can run aground, first and foremost Hamas’ continued refusal to disarm and demilitarize.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 17 Oct. 2025
The university system said refusal to comply could result in federal court enforcement and sanctions.
—Molly Gibbs, Mercury News, 17 Oct. 2025
This, combined with Uchis’ refusal to compromise her bilingual identity — exemplified by 2020’s Sin Miedo (del Amor y Otros Demonios), her first album entirely in Spanish, and her decision to alternate between languages on subsequent albums — has propelled her journey.
—Isabela Raygoza, Billboard, 16 Oct. 2025
There are a number of ways this process can run aground, first and foremost Hamas’ continued refusal to disarm and demilitarize.
—Newsweek Contributors, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusal
Noun
-
Research shows that people who acknowledge or apologize for rejection risk activating the rejectee’s ire, rather than alleviating hurt feelings.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
20 Oct. 2025
-
And the ego needed to overcome shyness and stage fright collides with the endless rejection that defines the profession.—
Adam Gopnik,
New Yorker,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The venerable department store had long been in denial about the depth of its problems, said Spring, who took the reins of Macy’s Inc in early 2024 after a successful decade-long stint as CEO of its Bloomingdale’s division.—
Phil Wahba,
Fortune,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Controversy grew over the Indonesian government's denial of visas to the Israeli national gymnastics team Saturday, when the President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) spoke out about it.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
18 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusal. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share