refusal

noun

ri-ˈfyü-zəl How to pronounce refusal (audio)
Definition of refusalnext
as in rejection
an unwillingness to grant something asked for his flat refusal of our reasonable request was rather startling

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of refusal Hers is a story that begins with a pushchair, a pony, and a mother’s refusal to buy toys for her children. — Gemma Redrup, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026 Across the 10 models, the average refusal rate for requests to produce political criticism was 34% in restrictive countries, compared with 14% in freer ones. — Mia Osmonbekov, Fortune, 13 Aug. 2026 The harassment from teammates began after that, per the lawsuit, and included exclusion from team meetings, refusal to acknowledge her presence, laughing at her and threatening her only friend not to hang out with her. — Tarini Mehta, Sacbee.com, 12 Aug. 2026 The refusal of the women’s sports establishment to protect women has directly hurt me. — Payton McNabb Outkick, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for refusal
Recent Examples of Synonyms for refusal
  1. rejection
  2. denial
Noun
  • Indeed, both candidates prefer the hard work of actually governing over performative posturing, modeling a deliberate rejection of the political fringes.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Not as a rejection of his background, but as an expansion of what that background can hold.
    — Advertorial, Footwear News, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of rejection
Noun
  • The suit maintains that the commission’s denial does not identify any adverse impact to a wetland function or value, nor any feasible and prudent alternatives to address the Commission’s reasons for denial, in violation of state law, Conn.
    — Staff Report, Hartford Courant, 13 Aug. 2026
  • Sacco is sticking to her guns after Karch’s crashout of a denial.
    — Frank Landymore, Futurism, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of denial

Browse Nearby Words

refurnishing
refusal
refusals
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Cite this Entry

“Refusal.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/refusal. Accessed 15 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on refusal

Nglish: Translation of refusal for Spanish Speakers

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