refusal
rih-FYOOZL
Refusal (noun) means the act of saying no to a request, offer, or demand. Example: “Her polite refusal of the invitation did not offend anyone at the party.”
noun
1
The act of saying no to a request, offer, or demand.
"Her polite refusal of the invitation did not offend anyone at the party."
"His refusal to apologize made the argument worse."
"The bank's refusal of the loan left them scrambling for another option."
How to use refusal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSaying no — turning down a request, offer, or order.
Common pairings
flat refusal
refusal to comply
meet with refusal
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Word forms
- Plural
- refusals
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her polite _____ of the invitation did not offend anyone at the party.
Etymology
From Middle English refusell, formed from refuse plus -al.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for refusal
See all rhymes for refusal →Frequently asked questions
What does “refusal” mean?
The word “refusal” means the act of saying no to a request, offer, or demand. In plain terms, saying no — turning down a request, offer, or order.
How do you pronounce “refusal”?
“Refusal” is pronounced rih-FYOOZL (/ɹɪˈfjuːzl̩/ in IPA).
How do you use “refusal” in a sentence?
Here is “refusal” used in a sentence: “His refusal to apologize made the argument worse.”
What part of speech is “refusal”?
“Refusal” is a noun.
Where does the word “refusal” come from?
The word “refusal” comes from Middle English. From Middle English refusell, formed from refuse plus -al.
Is “refusal” a common word?
“Refusal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between a refusal and a rejection?
A refusal is the act of declining a request, offer, or demand, and it usually applies to something you are being asked to do or accept. A rejection often applies more broadly, including turning down a person, application, or proposal without necessarily being asked directly. In practice the words overlap heavily, but "refusal" fits situations involving a request while "rejection" fits situations involving an evaluation or submission.
What is the difference between refusal and denial?
Refusal is about declining to do, give, or accept something, such as refusing a request or an offer. Denial is about stating that something is not true or not the case, such as denying an accusation. A person can face both: a refusal of service and a denial of wrongdoing are different acts.
What preposition follows refusal?
Refusal is typically followed by "to" before a verb, as in "a refusal to comply," or by "of" before a noun, as in "a refusal of the offer." Both patterns describe what is being declined.
