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.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
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
Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Some states refused to provide the lists; others, like Michigan, provided voter rolls but not personal data like driver's license numbers and Social Security numbers.
—Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Garbage/refuse containers not covered as required. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN: Employee clothing/possessions not stored properly.
—Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 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 recent months, some in Gaza have voiced their anger at Hamas, accusing the group of refusing to end the war, leaving people to suffer without food and water.
—Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN Money, 25 Sep. 2025
Some states refused to provide the lists; others, like Michigan, provided voter rolls but not personal data like driver's license numbers and Social Security numbers.
—Todd Spangler, Freep.com, 25 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Trash has overwhelmed cities, and incinerating the refuse can release toxic material into the environment, van Hees said.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN Money, 3 July 2025
Garbage/refuse containers not covered as required. PHYSICAL FACILITIES INSTALLED, MAINTAINED AND CLEAN: Employee clothing/possessions not stored properly.
—Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for refuse
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refuse
Verb
-
The organization denied any criminal activity.—
Bart Jansen,
USA Today,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Peng denies such ties, and says Pony’s Chinese expertise may give it advantages in the US — despite the hostile political climate.—
Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson,
semafor.com,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Prosecutors also sought another charge of making false statements, court documents released Thursday show, but the grand jury rejected it.—
Chad de Guzman,
Time,
26 Sep. 2025
-
ByteDance and TikTok had challenged the law on First Amendment grounds but the Supreme Court rejected its appeal.—
Todd Spangler,
Variety,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Near my hotel, a few blocks from the Torre K23, there were several dumpsters overflowing with garbage.—
Jon Lee Anderson,
New Yorker,
29 Sep. 2025
-
There's a different take on a post apocalyptic universe where the world is made of plastic and not garbage.—
Wesley Stenzel,
Entertainment Weekly,
28 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
In another development, researchers in the US developed a new method that could turn discarded data center hardware into a reliable, eco-friendly source of rare earths and valuable metals.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
16 Aug. 2025
Verb
-
Rizzo declined to comment on any potential campaign, pointing to ongoing efforts to strike down the map.—
Kacen Bayless,
Kansas City Star,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Energy demands around the world are rising, and with the increasing impacts of climate change and the declining efficiency of existing infrastructure, the situation is likely to worsen.—
Lauren Giella,
MSNBC Newsweek,
25 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Since then, Moscow has expanded its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian cities, while seemingly ignoring his overtures for further dialogue to end the conflict.—
Matthew Bodner,
NBC news,
25 Sep. 2025
-
Certainly the idea that having a bunch of wealth will prevent you from getting into heaven has been conveniently ignored by many adherents.—
Joe Lynch,
Billboard,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
During one visit, the business was seen recycling construction, demolition and car debris, according to the lawsuit.—
Caleb Lunetta,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
26 Sep. 2025
-
This debris could increase micrometeoroid flux in Earth’s vicinity by up to 1,000 times the background levels, according to researchers.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
25 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Since trash pickup is every Tuesday where Wilson lives, this is a chore that always falls into her Monday rotation.—
Sarah Lyon,
Southern Living,
28 Sep. 2025
-
Then, there’s easily a dozen or more items like plants, minerals, and literal trash that can be found on runs, mined from beating bosses, or farmed in the Crossroads.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
27 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Refuse.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refuse. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share