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
The current crisis stems from the refusal of the administration to return to the US one Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, who, while not renditioned under the AEA, was sent to El Salvador.
—
Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025
Just a few weeks earlier, North Carolina’s governor, Josh Stein, was forced to appeal the federal government’s refusal to continue funding 100% of the state’s debris removal costs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Trump's aides have signaled a push to revoke over $1 billion in federal funding from Harvard over its refusal to comply with a list of demands related to campus curriculum and diversity.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Football season-ticket holders for premium seats were given the first right of refusal to purchase those same seats for the Bananas.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for refusal
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Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 25 Apr. 2025
Just a few weeks earlier, North Carolina’s governor, Josh Stein, was forced to appeal the federal government’s refusal to continue funding 100% of the state’s debris removal costs in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
—Alexander Puutio, Forbes.com, 25 Apr. 2025
Trump's aides have signaled a push to revoke over $1 billion in federal funding from Harvard over its refusal to comply with a list of demands related to campus curriculum and diversity.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Apr. 2025
Football season-ticket holders for premium seats were given the first right of refusal to purchase those same seats for the Bananas.
—Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 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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