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
Synonyms
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
Southerners took Northern refusal to extend them insurance as proof of anti-Southern discrimination, helping to bolster a sectional identity.
—
Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Pence declined to endorse Trump in 2024 following Trump's refusal to concede the 2020 election.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Lawmakers kept referring to Gabbard’s refusal to answer the question, likely making the topic a more revisited subject than anticipated.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Jan. 2025
Judge Finds Sailor Not Guilty in Fire That Destroyed $1.2 Billion Navy Ship
Mays was found not guilty at his court-martial in 2022, and ProPublica sued that year over the Navy’s refusal to release any court documents associated with his case.
—Ziva Branstetter, ProPublica, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for refusal 
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Justin Hawkins / Made By History, TIME, 31 Jan. 2025
Pence declined to endorse Trump in 2024 following Trump's refusal to concede the 2020 election.
—Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 31 Jan. 2025
Lawmakers kept referring to Gabbard’s refusal to answer the question, likely making the topic a more revisited subject than anticipated.
—Mike Brest, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 30 Jan. 2025
Judge Finds Sailor Not Guilty in Fire That Destroyed $1.2 Billion Navy Ship
Mays was found not guilty at his court-martial in 2022, and ProPublica sued that year over the Navy’s refusal to release any court documents associated with his case.
—Ziva Branstetter, ProPublica, 29 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for refusal
Dictionary Entries Near refusal
Cite this Entry
“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refusal. Accessed 11 Feb. 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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