refuse
6 synonyms and 0 antonyms for refuse, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To say no to a request, offer, or order.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use refuse
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
Borrowed into Middle English from Middle French refuser, "to refuse."
Full origin of refuse →Frequently asked questions
What does “refuse” mean?
The word “refuse” means to say no to a request, offer, or order. In plain terms, as a verb, turning something down; as a noun (stressed differently, REF-use), it means trash or rubbish.
How do you pronounce “refuse”?
“Refuse” is pronounced REHF-yoos (/ˈɹɛfjuːs/ in IPA).
How do you use “refuse” in a sentence?
Here is “refuse” used in a sentence: “She refused to sign the contract until the terms were changed.”
What part of speech is “refuse”?
Depending on how it is used, “refuse” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “refuse” come from?
The word “refuse” comes from Middle French. Borrowed into Middle English from Middle French refuser, "to refuse.".
Is “refuse” a common word?
“Refuse” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “refuse” have?
“Refuse” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to say no to a request, offer, or order.
What is the difference between refuse and decline?
Both verbs mean to say no to a request, offer, or order, but decline is softer and more polite, as in declining an invitation. Refuse is firmer and more absolute, and it is the natural choice for orders or demands, as in "He refused to leave." Use decline for courteous rejections and refuse for emphatic ones.
Why does refuse have two pronunciations?
Refuse is a heteronym: one spelling covering two different words. The verb, meaning to say no, is stressed on the second syllable (re-FUSE), while the noun, meaning waste material or rubbish, is stressed on the first (REF-use). The stress shift signals which word is intended.
What is the difference between refuse and reject?
To refuse is to say no to a request, offer, or order, and it often takes an infinitive, as in "She refused to sign." To reject is to dismiss something or someone as unacceptable or not good enough, as in rejecting a proposal or an application. Refuse focuses on the act of saying no; reject focuses on judging something unworthy.
Do you say "refuse to do" or "refuse doing"?
Refuse is followed by the to-infinitive, never the -ing form. Correct English is "He refused to answer," not "He refused answering." This makes refuse different from verbs like avoid or deny, which take the -ing form instead.