1
as in to deny
to be unwilling to grant
the reclusive movie star usually refuses requests for interviews
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to reject
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 & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in garbage
discarded or useless material
refuse had littered the playground until our volunteer group cleaned it up
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in discarded
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of refuse
David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Cement mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, which all share a common architecture, will be built first, followed by refuse trucks and terminal tractors.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023
Emma Collum, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Two adult victims were treated on-scene and refused further treatment.
—Kerry Breen
july 5, CBS News, 5 July 2025
Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Across the 80-plus works featured will be early figurative paintings, abstractions from her mid-career period, and more recent works, some of which are adorned with refuse and allowed to hang free from the wall.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refuse
Verb
Officials with the city’s Bureau of Sanitation said the existing trash fees have not been generating enough money to cover the true cost of refuse collection.
—David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025
Cement mixers, roll-off and dump trucks, which all share a common architecture, will be built first, followed by refuse trucks and terminal tractors.
—Andrew J. Hawkins, The Verge, 7 Dec. 2023
Noun
In Florida, where leaders refused to expand it, pregnant women and new moms are already navigating a broken system.
—Emma Collum, Sun Sentinel, 5 July 2025
Two adult victims were treated on-scene and refused further treatment.
—Kerry Breen
july 5, CBS News, 5 July 2025
Adjective
Soon, the four of them were crowded around the trash bin, picking through the refuse and arguing.
—Diego Lasarte, New Yorker, 28 Apr. 2025
Across the 80-plus works featured will be early figurative paintings, abstractions from her mid-career period, and more recent works, some of which are adorned with refuse and allowed to hang free from the wall.
—Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 25 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuse
Verb
-
There are few templates for denying a nomination to a statewide incumbent in Connecticut, but Lamont is more familiar than most with what’s required: primarily, a compelling reason to reject someone.—
Mark Pazniokas,
Hartford Courant,
10 July 2025
-
The Enquirer was denied these records on the grounds that complaints of educator misconduct that have resulted in an investigation are not deemed public until the board has taken final action on the case.—
Annie Goldman,
The Enquirer,
10 July 2025
Verb
-
If anyone else tries such commands, the AGI and ASI reject them summarily.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
-
New York’s 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Maxwell’s appeal effort last year, finding that the deal drawn up in 2007 and approved the following year only protected Epstein and his coconspirators in South Florida.—
Molly Crane-Newman,
New York Daily News,
15 July 2025
Noun
-
Another item that is often forgotten is garbage bags for collecting waste along the way, especially when passing through remote areas without public bins.—
Dianne Plummer,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
The Bureau of Rodent Control has been increasing collaboration with the Bureau of Sanitation to replace faulty garbage carts, which rats can exploit to obtain more food.—
William Tong,
Chicago Tribune,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
The important storyline over those weeks is about untapped potential, not declining numbers.—
Lindsey Darvin,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
-
This story has been updated to note the FBI declined to comment.—
James Bickerton,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 July 2025
Verb
-
Remember, ignoring these signals can lead to heat exhaustion or life-threatening heat stroke.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
11 July 2025
-
But Eufy is way more similar to my former dogs Biff and Frank, who generally ignored me and went about their own business.—
David McGrath,
Chicago Tribune,
11 July 2025
Noun
-
The night of the fire, firework debris ignited the area of the home’s exterior rear porch, said Independence Fire Chief Jimmy Walker.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
9 July 2025
-
Try to find a place that will block blowing or falling debris.—
CA Weather Bot,
Sacbee.com,
9 July 2025
Noun
-
Infected debris should be disposed of in the trash, never added to the compost pile.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
12 July 2025
-
Leftover Paint If there are half-empty cans of leftover paint sitting on your garage shelves, avoid throwing them in the trash.—
Maria Sabella,
Better Homes & Gardens,
12 July 2025
Adjective
-
This anti-waste brand upcycles materials, and was founded by Kisa Sky Shiga.—
Nadja Sayej,
Forbes,
20 Dec. 2022
-
Fanning out like urban guerrillas through Paris’ darkened streets well after midnight, the anti-waste activists shinny up walls and drain pipes, reaching for switches to turn off the lights. Click.—
The Christian Science Monitor,
The Christian Science Monitor,
3 Aug. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuse. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
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