refuse - Definition & Meaning

to refuse

Third Person

refuses

Present Participle

refusing

Past Tense

refused

Past Participle

refused

to say or show one's unwillingness to do something that someone has asked

transitive

The student had to refuse the invitation to join the extracurricular club due to time constraints.
Despite their insistence, he continued to refuse participating in the risky business venture.
The employee had to refuse the assignment as it conflicted with their current workload.
She decided to refuse the job offer because it didn't align with her career goals.
He had to refuse the invitation due to a prior commitment.

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

to not accept what someone has offered us or asked us to do

transitive

She refused to accept the job offer because it didn't align with her career goals.
He refused to lend me his car because he needed it for himself.
The restaurant refused to serve customers without reservations during peak hours.
They refused to pay the extra fee for expedited shipping.
The company refused to negotiate with the striking workers until their demands were met.

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Antonyms:

to fail or be unable to perform the function or action that is expected of it

transitive

The old car refused to start on the cold winter morning, leaving them stranded in the driveway.
His computer suddenly refused to connect to the internet, despite being properly configured.
The lock on the door refused to budge, even after she tried the key multiple times.
The pen refused to write, no matter how hard he pressed it against the paper.
The washing machine refused to drain, causing water to pool inside the drum.

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Antonyms:

to deny someone permission to have something

transitive

The bouncer refused entry to anyone who couldn't provide valid identification.
The committee refused permission for the event to be held in the park.
The doctor refused the patient pain medication, deeming it unnecessary for their condition.
The supervisor refused her employees access to confidential files without proper authorization.
The judge refused the defendant bail, considering them a flight risk.

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Antonyms:

to reject or disown someone or something, often due to a disagreement or a perceived betrayal

transitive

After years of arguments and conflicts, the father decided to refuse his son and cut off all communication.
Despite their long friendship, she felt compelled to refuse her friend after discovering their deceit.
The political party refused the disgraced member, expelling them from the party.
When the company's CEO refused their longtime business partner over a breach of contract, it led to a legal dispute.
The community refused the convicted criminal, shunning him from their social circles.

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