refusal
noun
re·fus·al
ri-ˈfyü-zəl 
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking before others
Examples of refusal in a Sentence
My request for more money was met with a flat refusal.
his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling
Recent Examples on the Web
Jubair was also charged with offenses related to his refusal to turn over PIN codes and passwords for devices seized from him.
—
Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025
The moment resonated with TikTok users, many of whom praised Liz's refusal to conform to the standard tourist snapshot.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
In a sentencing order, the judge said Martinez’s refusal to express remorse for his criminal conduct closed off the judge’s ability to deliver a sentence lower than the 34 months requested by prosecutors.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, Javier Bardem arrived with a keffiyeh around his neck before using his red-carpet interviews to state his refusal to work with organizations affiliated with Israel.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Dan Goodin, ArsTechnica, 19 Sep. 2025
The moment resonated with TikTok users, many of whom praised Liz's refusal to conform to the standard tourist snapshot.
—Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 Sep. 2025
In a sentencing order, the judge said Martinez’s refusal to express remorse for his criminal conduct closed off the judge’s ability to deliver a sentence lower than the 34 months requested by prosecutors.
—Douglas Hanks, Miami Herald, 15 Sep. 2025
Elsewhere, Javier Bardem arrived with a keffiyeh around his neck before using his red-carpet interviews to state his refusal to work with organizations affiliated with Israel.
—Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 22 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
refusal
noun
re·fus·al
ri-ˈfyü-zəl
1
: the act of refusing or denying
2
: the opportunity or right of refusing or taking (as a purchase) before others
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