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refusal

[ ri-fyoo-zuh l ]

/ rɪˈfyu zəl /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR refusal ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an act or instance of refusing.

priority in refusing or taking something; option.

complete resistance of a driven pile to further driving.

Origin of refusal

First recorded in 1425–75, refusal is from the late Middle English word refusell. See refuse¹, -al²

OTHER WORDS FROM refusal

pre·re·fus·al, noun

Words nearby refusal

refulgent, refund, refund annuity, refurb, refurbish, refusal, refuse, refusenik, refusion, refutation, refutative

Example sentences from the Web for refusal

He was pinned to the cement for his refusal to go along with an arrest for selling loose cigarettes.

The Wildly Peaceful, Human, Almost Boring, Ultimately Great New York City Protests for Eric Garner |Mike Barnicle |December 8, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The alliance between America and rebel forces has been strained by the U.S. refusal to directly attack the Assad regime.

Al Qaeda Makes a Play for the U.S. Allies the War Against ISIS Depends On |Jacob Siegel |September 29, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
Their refusal leads the officer to shoot one of the boys to death.

A Brief History of the Phrase 'F*ck the Police' |Rich Goldstein |August 23, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
The refusal to compromise is a watchword of their candidates who wear it as a badge of pride.

The Tea Party Isn’t a Political Movement, It’s a Religious One |Jack Schwartz |July 13, 2014 |DAILY BEAST

It was her flaws, her failures, her struggles with her weight and her self-esteem, and her refusal to be shamed by them.

The Day the Fairytale Died |Marilyn Johnson |July 12, 2014 |DAILY BEAST
If Martine was annoyed by Priscilla's refusal, poor Priscilla was deeply disturbed by the turn of affairs.

Brenda's Ward |Helen Leah Reed
When Tom asked if he had better come down that evening and call, John was most emphatic in his refusal.

Polly's Business Venture |Lillian Elizabeth Roy
The delicate feeling that prompted his refusal was understood by the brother and sister.

Up the Forked River |Edward Sylvester Ellis
The pistol gave him so much pleasure that he asked for a second; and, of course, a refusal was impossible.

Some Heroes of Travel |W. H. Davenport Adams
Perhaps those who would not let him visit their homes had only too good cause for refusal.

The Soul of a Child |Edwin Bjorkman

British Dictionary definitions for refusal

refusal

/ (rɪˈfjuːzəl) /

noun

the act or an instance of refusing

the opportunity to reject or accept; option