Thesaurus

refuse

Q: How is the word 'refuse' different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of refuse are decline , reject , repudiate , and spurn . While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for. // refused to lend them the money

Q: In what contexts can 'decline' take the place of 'refuse'?

In some situations, the words decline and refuse are roughly equivalent. However, decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations. // declined his party's nomination

Q: When is 'reject' a more appropriate choice than 'refuse'?

The synonyms reject and refuse are sometimes interchangeable, but reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding. // rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

Q: When can 'repudiate' be used instead of 'refuse'?

The words repudiate and refuse can be used in similar contexts, but repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance. // teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents

Q: When could 'spurn' be used to replace 'refuse'?

Although the words spurn and refuse have much in common, spurn stresses contempt or disdain in rejection or repudiation. // spurned his overtures of friendship

verb

Save Word

Synonyms & Antonyms of refuse

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 to be unwilling to grant

the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews

Synonyms for refuse

Words Related to refuse

Near Antonyms for refuse

Antonyms for refuse

2 to show unwillingness to accept, do, engage in, or agree to

she refused the award, citing the hard work of others who deserved the recognition more than she did

Synonyms for refuse

Words Related to refuse

overrule,
veto

dismiss,
ignore

stick

Phrases Synonymous with refuse

turn one's back on

Near Antonyms for refuse

espouse,
support

Antonyms for refuse

refuse

noun

Synonyms & Antonyms of refuse (Entry 2 of 3)

discarded or useless material

refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up

Synonyms for refuse

Words Related to refuse

dump,
scrap heap

Near Antonyms for refuse

refuse

adjective

Synonyms & Antonyms of refuse (Entry 3 of 3)

as in discarded, waste

Synonyms & Near Synonyms for refuse

empty,
idle

Antonyms & Near Antonyms for refuse

repeopled

Frequently Asked Questions About refuse

How is the word refuse different from other verbs like it?

Some common synonyms of refuse are decline, reject, repudiate, and spurn. While all these words mean "to turn away by not accepting, receiving, or considering," refuse suggests more positiveness or ungraciousness and often implies the denial of something asked for.

refused to lend them the money

In what contexts can decline take the place of refuse?

In some situations, the words decline and refuse are roughly equivalent. However, decline often implies courteous refusal especially of offers or invitations.

declined his party's nomination

When is reject a more appropriate choice than refuse?

The synonyms reject and refuse are sometimes interchangeable, but reject implies a peremptory refusal by sending away or discarding.

rejected the manuscript as unpublishable

When can repudiate be used instead of refuse?

The words repudiate and refuse can be used in similar contexts, but repudiate implies a casting off or disowning as untrue, unauthorized, or unworthy of acceptance.

teenagers who repudiate the values of their parents